Ole Miss Football Commit on 'Flip Watch' Amid Lane Kiffin's Departure for LSU Tigers

Multiple commits have backed off of their pledges following Kiffin's departure, another one now on flip watch.

Courtesy of JC Anderson's X/Twitter.

Decatur (Ill.) Mt. Zion four-star tight end JC Anderson revealed a commitment to Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels on July 1 after announcing his intentions to make the move to the Magnolia State.

The Top-10 tight end in the 2026 Recruiting Class chose the Rebels over the likes of the Auburn Tigers and Illinois Fighting Illini down the stretch of his process.

The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder logged 47 receptions for 535 yards and seven touchdowns to go along with 52 tackles, 5.5 sacks and one interception on defense across his junior campaign in 2024.

“You could just tell that he’s an insanely smart dude and that he just knows a ton of ball. And literally just sitting down with him and Coach Weiss and Coach Cox and going through the offense kind of just blew me away," Anderson told Rivals.

"I feel like being in that environment with that much football knowledge is the best option for me.”

Courtesy of JC Anderson's X/Twitter.

The opportunity to suit up in the Southeastern Conference intrigues Anderson while getting the chance to get out of his comfort zone and move from Illinois to Oxford.

“Oxford is just amazing. I’m sure you’ve heard pretty good things about it,” Anderson said.

“The Grove is awesome. It’s just a great vibe there. In SEC country everyone is just so friendly. And it’s kind of where I’ve always thought I belonged. I’ve always been a Midwest kid obviously but I feel like I’ve got to go somewhere and spread my wings a little bit. Oxford really has it all for me.”

Anderson remains a headliner in the Rebels' 2026 Recruiting Class, but his future could be one to watch, multiple sources tell Ole Miss Rebels On SI.

Courtesy of JC Anderson's X/Twitter.

The LSU Tigers have intensified their pursuit of Anderson with Lane Kiffin off to Baton Rouge along with tight ends coach Joe Cox.

“I’m honestly looking forward to just being coached by Lane Kiffin and Cox,” Anderson said when he committed to Ole Miss. “Just developing is the thing. I know that they’re going to get me right for the NFL.”

Now, all eyes are on Anderson with the Early Signing Period beginning on Wednesday.

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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