The Grove Report

Ole Miss Football and LSU Tigers Battling for Sought-After Offensive Lineman

Lane Kiffin and Co. continue their pursuit of the coveted Magnolia State native, looking to reel him in.
Zack Nagy|
Courtesy of Emanuel Tucker's X/Twitter.

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New Albany (Miss.) four-star offensive lineman Emanuel Tucker has quickly emerged as a priority target for Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels in the 2026 Recruiting Cycle.

Tucker, a Top-10 prospect in the Magnolia State, verbally committed to the Mississippi State Bulldogs in February over the likes of Ole Miss, LSU and Miami, among others.

"I know a lot of people were thinking that I was going to Miami, but me and my family sat down and said staying at home is what is best for me," Tucker told 247Sports. "With that being said, I really appreciate the way that Mississippi State has been recruiting me ever since Coach (Jeff) Lebby showed up.

"When Coach Loadholt arrived, he immediately started showing me a lot of love. I really feel like he is going to be a coach who helps me develop and be able to make it on the next level."

Now, after a being pledged to the program for a handful of months, Tucker is back on the market.

Following an official visit to Oxford last weekend, Tucker has reopened his recruitment with the Rebels surging in his process.

But it's set to be a battle for the 6-foot-7, 285-pounder out of Mississippi with the LSU Tigers working this one behind the scenes.

Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers have emerged as a team to watch in his process that has quickly become an Ole Miss versus LSU battle.

The former Mississippi State commitment will officially visit the Bayou Bengals this summer as he works through his process.

Kiffin and the Rebels are in the midst of a critical offseason in Oxford with the program bringing in a slew of official visitors to town for multi-day stays.

More Ole Miss News:

Ole Miss Football Target, Top-10 Quarterback in America Earns Elite 11 Invite

Ole Miss Basketball Beats Out North Carolina Tar Heels, UCONN for Top-50 Prospect

Ole Miss Women's Basketball Lands in Early Top-25, Named 'Offseason Winners'

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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.

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Zack Nagy
ZACK NAGY

Zack Nagy is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Ole Miss Rebels On SI, a Sports Illustrated Publication. Nagy has covered Rebel Football, Baseball, Basketball and Recruiting, looking to keep readers updated on anything and everything involving Ole Miss athletics. Nagy has covered the Southeastern Conference for over half a decade after being born and raised in New Orleans (La.).

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