What It Means: Ole Miss Football Hosting No. 1 Tight End in America for Visit

Lane Kiffin and Co. will bring in the talented tight end for a visit to Oxford, set to take multi-day trip.

Nov 23, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin walks off the field before a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels continue navigating a pivotal offseason in Oxford with the program remaining active on the recruiting trail.

After hauling in a trio of commitments in the 2026 Recruiting Cycle as of late, Kiffin and Co. have their sights set on multiple priority targets.

The foundation is set in next year's cycle, but with a critical summer stretch ahead, the Rebels will be turning up the heat for America's top recruits.

That includes Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei five-star tight end Mark Bowman.

Bowman, the No. 1 rated tight end in America, recently reclassified into the 2026 Recruiting Cycle and will skip junior campaign.

After making the move to reclassify, Bowman remains a Top-25 prospect in America and the most sought-after tight end on the market.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder remains one of the top targets on the program's "Big Board" with the Rebels battling the Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns and Ohio State, among others.

Now, he's set to officially visit the Ole Miss Rebels this weekend to begin ramping up his process. It'll be Bowman's first official visit this offseason.

Ole Miss was the first program to offer Mark Bowman at the start of his freshman season. Now the Rebels are set to get the first official visit from the nation's No. 1 ranked tight end: https://t.co/I0BfEEMp7M pic.twitter.com/UjcdGEDzYa

— Blair Angulo (@BlairAngulo) May 13, 2025

It's a significant stretch for Kiffin and the Rebels to get the top-ranked tight end to Oxford for a multi-day stay.

Ole Miss became the first program to officially offer Bowman a scholarship during his freshman campaign on the West coast.

Now, he's set to make his way to town for a visit with Kiffin and Co. for a pivotal trip to the Magnolia State.

The Miami Hurricanes, Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns, USC Trojans and Oregon Ducks are also set to receive official visits from Bowman this offseason, according to On3 Sports.

What will the California native provide the school of his choice at the next level? On3 Sports National Scout Cody Bellaire chimed in.

“Mark Bowman was the most consistent tight end threat throughout the OT7 Championship. He was constantly moving the chains and made the occasional strong-handed dunk on top of a defender in the end zone that made the highlight reel as well.

"His frame, twitchy movements and route-running are impressive for a 2027 prospect. Bowman’s skill set allowed him to work himself open both underneath and up the seam. If Vance Spafford was covered, Bowman was the next man up. He stepped up his game in a big way this weekend and made his presence felt throughout the OT7 Championship.” – National Scout Cody Bellaire

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