Ole Miss Pursues Five-Star WR Jase Mathews Despite Auburn Commitment
The Ole Miss Rebels continue to pursue five-star wide receiver Jase Mathews, despite his commitment to the Auburn Tigers in August. Mathews, rated as the top wideout in the 2026 Recruiting Cycle, chose Auburn over several competitors, including Ole Miss, the LSU Tigers, and the Texas A&M Aggies.
In a recent interview with Rivals, Mathews expressed his enthusiasm for Auburn, stating, “Auburn is just a place I want to be. I feel like I can thrive there in all areas of life—mentally, physically, and spiritually.” The connection he formed with Auburn’s coaching staff, particularly with wide receivers coach Marcus Davis, played a pivotal role in his decision. Mathews noted their close relationship, saying, “Coach Davis is a young coach, and we’ve built a really close connection — not even just about football. I’ve met his family. He’s a reasonable, understanding guy who I know can help me grow on and off the field.”
Despite his commitment to Auburn, Mathews remains a priority for Ole Miss, with the program actively seeking to change his mind. Complicating matters, LSU is also in the mix, as the Tigers plan to host Mathews for an unofficial visit on September 30, 2023, during their SEC matchup against No. 3 Texas A&M. This visit is crucial as the Early Signing Period approaches in December, and both Ole Miss and LSU are keenly interested in securing the talented wide receiver.
Recent insights from 247Sports analyst David Johnson suggest that Ole Miss may have a strong chance of flipping Mathews, especially with the recent addition of former Rebel Donte Moncrief to the coaching staff. Moncrief, who had a successful NFL career after completing his time at Ole Miss in 2013, has already made an impact on the recruiting front. During his college career, he recorded 156 receptions for 2,371 yards and 20 touchdowns.
With Moncrief’s involvement, Ole Miss is intensifying its efforts to sway Mathews away from his Auburn commitment. As the weekend visit to LSU approaches, the dynamics of Mathews’ recruitment could shift significantly. The developments surrounding this high-profile recruit are worth monitoring closely as Ole Miss aims to add a key player to its roster.
In related news, Ole Miss has been moving up in the ESPN FPI Top-25 Rankings following Week 8, which has further fueled interest in the program. Additionally, speculation surrounds head coach Lane Kiffin, who has been named a “top candidate” for the head coaching position at the Florida Gators.
For the latest updates on Ole Miss football and its recruiting efforts, follow Zack Nagy on Twitter at @znagy20 and keep an eye on Ole Miss Rebels on SI at @OleMissOnSI.
