Mississippi continues to emerge as a gold mine for high school football talent. While it may not carry the weight of a Georgia or a Florida, it is home to myriad blue-chippers.
That’s the case once again in the 2026 cycle. According to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies, there’s 16 blue-chip prospects in the Magnolia State. That includes five top-100 overall recruits.
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Below is a look at the top prospects in Mississippi this cycle and where they’re headed to play college football next season:
School: Hattiesburg
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 11 NATL. (No. 2 WR)
Scouting Summary: “Contested catch maven who looks like the top wide receiver prospect early in the 2026 cycle. Has good size, measuring at ver 6-foot-2, 185 pounds with good length as a junior. Turned in a strong junior campaign, catching 58 passes for 1,275 yards and 14 touchdowns while leading his team to a deep playoff run. Excels in contested catch situations, elevating to come down with acrobatic grabs. Hangs in the air and is able to contort his body into favorable positions. Displays a huge catch radius, high-pointing the football and coming down with one-handed grabs. High-level ball tracker with the ability to locate and corral the ball over his shoulder. Shows some route-running nuance. Has some shake off the line of scrimmage and is able to stack corners with his releases. Runs hard after the catch. Able to attack all areas of the field with his well-rounded skill set. Made some huge plays in big contests as a junior. Also a star on the 7-on-7 circuit before his junior season. Good marks in track and field in the high jump (6-0 feet) and triple jump (43-2 feet). Also plays basketball. Can continue improving his top-end speed.”
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2. S Bralan Womack — Mississippi State
School: Hartfield Academy
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 35 NATL. (No. 4 S)
Scouting Summary: “Three-dimensional safety prospect that excels in run support, man coverage and zone coverage that possesses quality movement skills and physicality. Verified 6-foot, 190 pounds with average length. Strong testing in the spring camp setting, especially in the explosive in fluidity metrics. Has personal bests in the 100m at 11.03 and the 200m at 22.78. Instinctive playmaker that triggers so well to the football, appears to be one step ahead of every player on the field. Rangy defender that covers every balde of grass from sideline to sideline. Physical and willing tackler around the line of scrimmage. One of the most productive defensive backs in the country as a junior intercepting eight passes on defense and securing 54 catches for over 1,000 yards as a receiver on the offensive side of the ball. Versatility makes his defined role at the next level a potential question mark. Fits a lot of different positions at the next level but believe his best fit is as a nickel or strong safety due to his fluidity and physicality.”
3. LB TJ White — Tennessee
School: Jackson Academy
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 58 NATL. (No. 4 LB)
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About: As a junior, White established himself as one of Mississippi’s most disruptive defensive forces, making 102 tackles. More than 20 of those came for loss, in addition to 11 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. He drew interest from across the country, but largely focused only on Mississippi State, Tennessee, Florida State and Auburn. Each of the four schools got an official visit over the summer. And in July, he chose the Vols and helped to kickstart a ton of momentum on the recruiting trail for Josh Heupel and Co.
School: Greene County
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 64 NATL. (No. 9 WR)
Scouting Summary: “Jase Mathews- Skilled wide receiver who could push as the top pass-catcher in the 2026 cycle. Has a big frame that belies the eye test, measuring in at around 6-foot-1.5, 195 pounds with 33-inch arms and 10-inch hands. Registers as a plus athlete in the combine setting. Operates with a high level of skill on Friday nights and in the camp setting. Shows the ability to create separation at every level. Stacks defenders off the line of scrimmage and has considerable shake within his routes. Flashes a large catch radius, leaving his feet to extend for remarkable grabs. A ball-winner in contested catch situations, showing body control and strong hands. Finished his junior season with 68 catches for 1,138 yards and 15 touchdowns in 10 games. Also plays basketball. Did much of his damage out of the slot as a junior, but showed the ability to win on the outside in the camp setting. The high level of skill and well-rounded nature to his game makes him one of the top pass-catchers in the cycle and one who could project as an early-round draft pick.”
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School: Picayune Memorial (Miss.)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 69 NATL. (No. 6 DL)
Wilson on his decision: “I feel like it’s a dynamic around Alabama,” he told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong. “I heard it a few times last year, people say ‘Bama is on the downfall having a 9-3 season. Even though that was a really good season, 9-3 is not bad, people saying that about ‘Bama means we’re in the back of their head, which means they’re scared of ‘Bama. If you have people fearing you that makes me want to go to ‘Bama even more.”
School: Kemper County
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 133 NATL. (No. 11 RB)
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Yates on his decision: “Their play scheme fits me perfect and it’s just a great school to be a part of,” Yates told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong about his decision. “(Running backs coach Kevin Smith) is a guy who’s going to let you know, if you don’t wanna work, don’t come. He is the perfect example of showing you instead of just saying he will do this and that.”
School: Tupelo
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 155 NATL. (No. 17 DL)
Scouting Summary: “Physically gifted defensive lineman with a huge frame and plus athleticism as a high school underclassman. has measured in over 6-foot-6.5 and close to 250 pounds prior to his sophomore season. Owns plus length for the position with 34.25-inch arms. Registers as a top athlete, running a 4.89 second 40-yard dash at Student Sports’ All-22 camp. Lines up as a big defensive end for his high school. Physical gifts are readily apparent on Friday nights. Flashes good speed and functional movement skills. Closes to make some impressive plays. Has upside as a run defender, using his big frame to body offensive linemen. Still early in his development. Likely not done growing and could see his frame maxing out at north of 300 pounds. Size and athleticism make him one of the early top defensive linemen in the 2026 cycle.”
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School: Pascagoula
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 185 NATL. (No. 18 S)
Wilson on his decision: “When I was there in the spring, I had that feeling about my commitment. I had a good idea that I was going to A&M after that visit. Being around the coaches, seeing their style of coaching and just getting a feel again for everything, I had a good feeling,” he told Rivals’ Chad Simmons. “My official visit was great, but it was not that big for me and my decision. I had seen everything and I knew how I felt.”
School: West Jones
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 219 NATL. (No. 20 OT)
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On the commitment: The massive 6-foot-6, 315-pounder had been committed to the Tigers since July, when he chose them over the Crimson Tide, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. But with the shakeup that came after the firing of Brian Kelly and hiring of Lane Kiffin, Alabama pounced at the opportunity to add him to its class. Mississippi State was close to pulling off the flip itself, but ultimately the Tide won out. The relationships and development were key.
School: Brandon
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 278 NATL. (No. 32 CB)
Ashley on his decision: “The visit is what did it,” he told Rivals. “It was first time there, and everything was right. I fit like a glove there with the system they run. Coach (Robert) Livingston put Travis Hunter and other guys in position to make plays, and I think I can do that, too.”
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Other blue-chip signees from Mississippi this cycle
11. DL Corey Wells — Auburn
12. DL Dereon Albert — Tennessee
13. TE Zayion Cotton — Mississippi State
14. OT Emanuel Faulkner — Ole Miss
15. WR Xavier McDonald — Colorado commit
16. IOL Donel Robinson — Baylor
