Elite Alabama Wideout, Ole Miss Commit Backs Off Pledge Amid Lane Kiffin Decision

Ole Miss has lost a pair of commitments since Kiffin's departure, reopening recruitment process as the Early Signing Period nears.

Courtesy of Corey Barber's Instagram.

Hoover (Ala.) Spain Park four-star wide receiver Corey Barber has reopened his recruitment after backing off of a commitment to the Ole Miss Rebels on Sunday evening, he revealed via social media.

Barber, a Top-50 wideout in the 2026 Recruiting Cycle, announced his pledge to the Rebels in May over the likes of the Tennessee Volunteers, Georgia Bulldogs, and Alabama Crimson Tide, among several others.

The 6-foot-1,185-pounder from Alabama had a myriad of schools pursuing his services with the "Who's Who" of college football making waves, but it quickly became the Rebels beginning to separate themselves from the pack.

"I’m comfortable there," Barber told Rivals following his initial commitment. "They treat me and my family like family. I’ve been to practice plus an official visit so I’ve spent more time at Ole Miss than the others.

"It’s a great program with a great, experienced coaching staff. And a great and very supportive community."

Courtesy of Corey Barber's X/Twitter: @coreybarberjr.

What led Barber to Oxford? What separated the Rebels down the stretch with multiple SEC powerhouse programs vying for his services?

"I would say I learned just how productive their offense has been over the past few years," Barber said. "I sat down with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. this weekend and we watched film and went over numbers from the last few seasons."

Now, with Lane Kiffin revealing his intentions of departing Ole Miss and making the move to the LSU Tigers, Barber has elected to reopen his recruitment with th Early Signing Period kicking off on Wednesday.

BREAKING: Four-Star WR Corey Barber has Decommitted from Ole Miss, he tells me for @rivals⁰⁰The 6’1 185 WR from Pinson, AL had been Committed to the Rebels since May

Was the 2nd highest-ranked recruit in the Rebels’ 2026 Classhttps://t.co/oIxZRfp4KC pic.twitter.com/U58OqtCa1D

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 30, 2025

It's a significant hit to the 2026 Recruiting Class for Ole Miss with Barber coming in as the second-highest ranked prospect in the haul.

The top-ranked commit in the class, Landon Barnes, has reaffirmed his pledge to the Ole Miss Rebels despite Kiffin departing for LSU.

Landon Barnes Reaffirms Pledge:

Duncanville (Tex.) four-star edge rusher Landon Barnes revealed a commitment to the Ole Miss Rebels in June with the coaching staff in Oxford prioritizing the elite defensive weapon.

Barnes, the No. 1 rated EDGE in Texas, is a consensus Top-25 defensive prospect in the Lone Star State with programs from coast-to-coast battling for his services across his high school career.

The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder reeled in offers from the likes of the LSU Tigers, Texas Longhorns, Ohio State Buckeyes, and Georgia Bulldogs, among others, across the last few months.

But it's the Ole Miss staff that ultimately won out for his services over a myriad of high-profile programs involved in his process.

No matter what🦈🦈 pic.twitter.com/DF0B51xLlS

— Landon Barnes (@LandoB26) November 30, 2025

“I felt the love from the staff. They showed great love and a lot of energy toward me. The people [at Ole Miss] really got to know me well and it showed me a lot as a recruit," Barnes told Rivals.

"I was there for a spring practice, then for an official visit and the energy was always there. They showed me that they wanted me.”

More Ole Miss News:

Ole Miss Makes Final Decision on Lane Kiffin Coaching CFP As LSU Tigers Pick Up Steam

Potential Lane Kiffin Replacements Revealed As Future With Ole Miss 'In Doubt'

Tony Vitello Pokes Fun at Ole Miss Football's Lane Kiffin in Goodbye to Tennessee

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