SEC Rival Emerging as Top Destination for Ole Miss Football Transfer Wide Receiver

Pete Golding and Co. see a promising wide receiver depart Oxford, currently visiting an SEC foe on Sunday.

Nov 15, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Winston Watkins (17) runs for yards after the catch against Florida Gators cornerback Cormani McClain (25) during the first quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Ole Miss Rebels true freshman wide receiver Winston Watkins is officially in the NCAA Transfer Portal with SEC programs eyeing the promising youngster after spending one season in Oxford.

Watkins signed to the Rebels as a Top-50 wideout in the 2025 Recruiting Cycle and a Top-300 overall prospect - selecting Ole Miss over the likes of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Miami Hurricanes, Florida State Seminoles, and South Carolina Gamecocks, among others.

In his lone season with the Rebels, Watkins recorded 26 catches for 373 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, he notched 21 rushing yards on five carries.

“Winn has been great,” Ole Miss junior wide receiver Harrison Wallace III said. “You don’t really see a lot of young guys come in with the mentality that he has — just coming in and making it hard to keep him off the field. Just making plays day in and day out. You know what you’re going to get out of him every day. So, really proud of him, and he’s going to be a great player.”

Now, Watkins is already eyeing one SEC program as a potential destination: LSU.

Lane Kiffin signed Watkins during his tenure at Ole Miss with the relationship remaining strong as the talented pass-catcher trends to the LSU Tigers with the recent Rebels offensive staff now in Baton Rouge.

Watkins is currently on an official visit with the LSU coaching staff as the program eyes the former Top-300 prospect with sources indicating that the interest is mutual between both parties.

Im here 🐯😏!! #GeauxTigers

— Winston “Winnie” Watkins Jr (@winstonwatkins_) January 11, 2026

Ole Miss is currently in the midst of a strong portal run this month with multiple game-changing prospects signing with Pete Golding and Co.

The Transfer Signees:

Jay Crawford – Auburn (CB)
Keaton Thomas – Baylor (LB)
Jonathan Maldonado – Nevada (EDGE)
Sharif Denson – Florida (CB)
Jaheim Oatis – Colorado (DT)
Michai Boireau – Florida (DT)
Chris Jones – Southern Mississippi (LB)
Carius Curne – LSU (OL)
Edwin Joseph – Florida State (S)
Joenel Aguero - Georgia (S)
Deuce Knight - Auburn (QB)

The most recent pledge for the Ole Miss program came from Auburn Tigers quarterback Deuce Knight after going public with a decision on Sunday morning.

Knight signed with the Auburn program as the No. 5 rated signal-caller in the 2025 Recruiting Cycle, but after one season on The Plains, elected to hit the free agent market.

The 6-foot-4, 217-pounder earned offers from the likes of the Auburn Tigers, Georgia Bulldogs, Ole Miss Rebels, Colorado Buffaloes, and Alabama Crimson Tide, among several others, across his time on the prep scene.

Now, the former five-star prospect is Oxford bound after revealing a decision on Sunday with Ole Miss landing their franchise quarterback.

More Ole Miss News:

Lane Kiffin Reacts to New Offensive Coordinator Being Hired By Ole Miss Football

Ole Miss Football QB Trinidad Chambliss Wins Major Award Amid Breakout Season

SEC Rival Emerging as Favorite to Land Ole Miss Football Quarterback Austin Simmons

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