Ole Miss Football Adds Sought-After Linebacker With Unique Recruiting History

Lane Kiffin and Co. strike gold on the recruiting trail, latest pledge's commitment history raises questions.

Nov 2, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin in the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mississippi won 63-31. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels continue making splashes on the recruiting trail with the program reconstructing the roster for the long haul.

On Friday, Ole Miss reeled in a commitment from Leesburg (Fla.) Tavares four-star linebacker Izayia Williams after he went public with a decision.

Williams, the No. 1 linebacker in America, recently flipped his commitment from the Florida State Seminoles to the Florida Gators after a rigorous recruiting battle.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder out of the Sunshine State made his way to Oxford last weekend for a visit with the Ole Miss Rebels.

Now, one week later, Williams has revealed a commitment to the Magnolia State school.

But Williams' recruitment is far from over...

Williams has had a unique journey leading up to his commitment to the Ole Miss Rebels.

He committed to Louisville in November of 2023 during his sophomore campaign with the pledge being short-lived.

Williams de-committed from the Louisville program just three months later prior to revealing a decision to pledge to the Syracuse Orange in January of 2024.

Fast forward to August of 2024 and Williams once again elected to reopen his recruitment process. He then committed to Mike Norvell and the Florida State Seminoles one month later.

News: Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels have landed a commitment from the No. 1 rated linebacker in America: Izayia Williams.

Kiffin and Co. flip the former Florida Gators pledge fresh off of a visit to Oxford.

What are the Rebels getting?

More: https://t.co/80gb3NMbGj pic.twitter.com/RKZp9g0omH

— Ole Miss Rebels On SI (@OleMissOnSI) May 2, 2025

Moving ahead, Williams backed off of his pledge to the Florida State program in November and made the move to join Billy Napier's Florida Gators 2026 Recruiting Class.

Now, it's Kiffin and the Rebels' turn to attempt to hold onto Williams' pledge after the top-ranked linebacker in America flipped to Ole Miss on Friday.

The Recap: Williams' Recruitment History

Commits to Louisville - Nov. 2023
Decommits from Louisville - Jan. 2024
Commits to Syracuse - April 2024
Decommits from Syracuse - Aug. 2024
Commits to Florida State - Sept. 2024
Decommits from Florida State- Nov. 2024
Commits to Florida - Mar. 2025
Flips to Ole Miss - May 2025

Izayia Williams recruitment timeline:

Commits to UL - Nov 2023
Decommits - Jan 2024
Commits to Syracuse - Apr 2024
Decommits - Aug 2024
Commits to FSU - Sept 2024
Decommits - Nov 2024
Commits to Florida - Mar 2025
Flips to Ole Miss - May 2025 https://t.co/WKdkizrZFY

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) May 2, 2025

The Early Signing Period in December is a long ways away with the Ole Miss program looking to keep Williams committed during the hot recruiting months this summer.

After adding the No. 1 linebacker in America, the Rebels' 2026 Recruiting Class cruised into the Top-25 after passing the likes of Michigan, North Carolina and others in the rankings.

More Ole Miss News:

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Ole Miss Lands Commitment From Sought-After Transfer Safety

Super Bowl Champion, Ole Miss Star Wide Receiver AJ Brown Earns Prestigious Honor

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and Ole Miss Rebels On SI: @OleMissOnSI for all coverage surrounding the Ole Miss program.