Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels have made a big splash on the recruiting trail.
Rivals100 wide receiver Ayden Williams has committed to Ole Miss. Williams chose the Rebels over finalists Georgia, Jackson State, LSU, South Carolina, and Tennessee, giving the SEC West program a massive win on the recruiting trail.
Ole Miss emerged as the favorite for Williams over the last few months after the four-star released his top-six schools in May. Kiffin and the Rebels put the full-court press on Williams, and it has paid off.
"Every time that I go down there, they show love. They always show love,” Williams told Rivals.com about Ole Miss this summer.
Williams has been one of the biggest risers in the nation over the last two Rivals rankings updates. The Ridgeland (Miss.) standout jumped 82 spots in the June rankings update and then rose another 80+ in August.
A big reason for his rise is his performances on the 7-on-7 circuit and in camp settings. Williams has impressed against high-caliber defensive backs thanks to his physicality, catch radius, and dangerous after-the-catch ability. His stock is sky-high as his senior season kicks off in the Magnolia State.
"I showed (at Future50) that I'm the top dog. I feel like I'm the alpha in this class," Williams said. "I showed that Mississippi has good football too. My mentality is that I'm going to win every rep."
Kiffin has a successful track record of calling high-powered offenses, and Ole Miss has been churning out a number of NFL wide receivers in recent years. The belief is that Williams is next in that line.
"They're telling me that I can be the next DK (Metcalf), AJ (Brown). I'm next up. I can carry this class and do something special,” Williams said.
"I'm carrying the legacy and putting The 'Sip on the map."
Rivals ranks Ayden Williams as the No. 77 prospect nationally, No. 12 wide receiver, and No. 2 recruit in the state of Mississippi for the 2023 recruiting cycle. He becomes the second Rivals100 prospect in the Rebels’ class, joining four-star outside linebacker Suntarine Perkins.
COMMITMENT ANALYSIS
Ayden Williams has the ability to be a day-one contributor in Oxford for Lane Kiffin. He has the size to play on the outside, the technique and skills to make a smooth transition to the next level, and the upside to be a difference-maker early on in his collegiate career.
Williams is not the fastest player at the position, but he wins matchups with his quick footwork, crisp route-running, and physicality through contact. His showing at Future50 against the likes of Texas commit Malik Muhammad was eye-opening, as he backed up his film and performed well against one of the best and longest corners in the nation.
The four-star receiver should be put in position to succeed in Kiffin's offense, and Ayden Williams has the talent to fully take advantage of his role at Ole Miss. He projects as a contributor as a freshman with long-term NFL upside.
