Ole Miss Football, Ohio State and Michigan Battling for No. 1 Wideout in Indiana

Fort Wayne (Ind.) Northrop three-star wide receiver Jerquaden Guilford has locked in a new commitment date with the Ole Miss Rebels, Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes and Indiana Hoosiers in the mix, according to 247Sports.

Guilford, the No. 1 prospect in Indiana, continues his rise as a household name in the 2026 Recruiting Cycle with Lane Kiffin and Co. heavily involved in his process.

After dishing out an offer in May, the Ole Miss program hit the ground running in their pursuit of the Hoosier State wideout.

Then, the Rebels were quickly labeled a finalist for the talented 6-foot-2, 180-pounder alongside the Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan Wolverines and Indiana Hoosiers.

The hometown Hoosiers were then viewed as the favorite in his recruitment, but Kiffin and Co. have now battled back into the mix for the sought-after prospect down the stretch.

After taking an official visit to the Magnolia State in June, Ole Miss made a significant move in his process.

“Oh, it definitely blew my mind. It blew whatever I thought out of the water. I loved it," Guilford told Rivals.

Following the official, the predictions began rolling in for the Ole Miss Rebels to beat out the Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan Wolverines and Indiana Hoosiers for Guilford's services.

247Sports' Sam Webb then logged a prediction in favor of Kiffin and the Rebels to earn the commitment.

Guilford was set to reveal a commitment decision on Friday, June 27, but altered his plans with a new decision date locked in.

The No. 1 ranked wide receiver in Indiana will now make a decision on Friday, July 18, according to Rivals.

Ole Miss and Ohio State are battling for the highly-touted wideout along with Tennessee, Michigan and Indiana "in the picture."

Fort Wayne (Ind.) Northrop four-star WR Jerquaden Guilford has locked in a new commitment date for July 18. Ohio State and Ole Miss have been battling for his pledge. Indiana, Michigan and Tennessee have also been in the picture. More here: https://t.co/guDEuIVNCU pic.twitter.com/bQM3GVsR7D
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) July 13, 2025

What will Guilford provide a program at the next level?

His trainer Dre Muhammad of Traction Athletic Performance told On3 Sports he believes the sky's the limit.

“Jerquaden shares similarities with elite prospects like (Ohio State’s) Mylan Graham, particularly in his commitment to mastering his craft and showcasing advanced skills. While there’s always room for growth and refinement, his natural talent and competitive spirit set him apart. He possesses an elite receiver skill set and thrives on competition, consistently elevating his performance as the stakes rise.

“Standing between 6’2″ and 6’3″, he runs a verified low 4.5 and weighs in at 190 pounds, with the potential to add another 10 pounds as he continues training before college. His stride length is exceptional, allowing him to cover significant ground effortlessly. Beyond his technical abilities, he’s a physical presence who isn’t afraid to block, is tough to bring down, and embraces every aspect of his development.

“Jerquaden is also maturing mentally, learning from those who came before him to adopt a professional mindset in his preparation and approach. He is undoubtedly among the top 15 receivers in the 2026 class, a status he reinforces by excelling against top competition in 7v7 and the summer circuit."

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