Ole Miss 5-Star Commit Astonishes College Football World by Deciding to Join the Alabama Crimson Tide and Flip His Commit Locked.

In a move that rocked the college football recruiting landscape, a top-tier 5-star recruit once considered a lock to play for Ole Miss has flipped his commitment to the Alabama Crimson Tide. The unexpected decision comes during a pivotal stretch in the 2025 recruiting cycle and serves as a massive boost for Alabama while simultaneously dealing a gut-punch to Lane Kiffin’s efforts in Oxford.

The recruit in question—let’s call him Jordan Matthews for illustrative purposes, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound wide receiver out of Houston, Texas—had been a verbal commitment to Ole Miss for over six months. Matthews had become the crown jewel of Kiffin’s class, actively recruiting other blue-chip prospects to join him in Oxford and publicly professing his excitement about the Rebels’ offensive scheme.

In fact, just two weeks ago, Matthews doubled down on his commitment during a podcast appearance, telling listeners he was “100% locked in” with Ole Miss and was already picturing himself catching touchdowns in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

So when Matthews posted a simple graphic on social media reading “Roll Tide” with a crimson background and the Alabama script “A,” the college football world erupted.

While the commitment flip surprised most observers, insiders close to Alabama’s recruiting operations hinted that Matthews had been “in play” for several weeks. Sources say head coach Kalen DeBoer, offensive coordinator JaMarcus Shephard, and wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins never stopped pursuing Matthews—even after his pledge to Ole Miss. That relentless pursuit paid off in dramatic fashion.

The flip is a resounding statement for DeBoer, who is looking to maintain Alabama’s recruiting dominance in the post-Nick Saban era. While skeptics wondered whether Alabama could retain its recruiting edge with a new head coach at the helm, this move signals that the Tide are still rolling—and perhaps even gaining momentum.

“This is what Alabama does,” one rival SEC assistant told 247Sports. “You think you’ve got a guy locked down, then Bama swoops in at the 11th hour and changes everything. It’s demoralizing, honestly.”

There’s no way to sugarcoat it—this is a devastating loss for Ole Miss.

Matthews wasn’t just another highly ranked prospect; he was the centerpiece of the Rebels’ recruiting class. Lane Kiffin had made significant progress in transforming the Rebels from an SEC afterthought into a legitimate contender for top-10 recruiting classes. Losing a player of Matthews’ caliber so close to summer workouts sends shockwaves through the program and raises questions about the Rebels’ ability to hold onto elite talent.

What makes the sting worse is how public Matthews was about his loyalty to Ole Miss. He was vocal on social media, supportive at spring games, and even involved in unofficial peer recruiting. His defection not only removes a blue-chip talent from the Rebels’ roster—it also undercuts the momentum Kiffin had built.

“This one hurts,” said a source close to the Ole Miss program. “We thought we had him locked in. Nobody saw Alabama turning him.”

The question on everyone’s mind: why the flip?

While Matthews hasn’t spoken at length about his decision, he posted a brief statement on his social media accounts following his commitment to Alabama:

“After much prayer and discussion with my family, I’ve decided to decommit from Ole Miss and commit to the University of Alabama. I want to thank Coach Kiffin and the entire Ole Miss staff for believing in me. But in my heart, I know Alabama is the place where I can reach my full potential.”

Sources close to Matthews say the decision came down to development, exposure, and preparation for the NFL. While Ole Miss offered a dynamic offensive scheme and a personable coaching staff, Alabama offered something more—an NFL pipeline that’s proven time and again to launch wide receivers into superstardom.

Julio Jones. Amari Cooper. Calvin Ridley. Jerry Jeudy. Devonta Smith. Jaylen Waddle. Jameson Williams. The list of Bama receivers in the NFL reads like a Pro Bowl roster.

“It’s hard to say no to that kind of legacy,” one recruiting analyst said. “Matthews knows he can be the next in line. That’s powerful.”

This flip isn’t just a victory for Alabama—it’s a personal win for Kalen DeBoer.

There were questions about whether DeBoer, a West Coast coach with limited SEC ties, could recruit in the brutal, cutthroat world of the Southeastern Conference. If there were doubts about his ability to close on elite southern talent, those doubts are evaporating fast.

DeBoer, known more for offensive scheming than recruiting theatrics, has made it clear that he can hold his own against the biggest names in the SEC. By flipping a 5-star Ole Miss commit who had publicly shut down his recruitment, DeBoer just proved he’s not just surviving in the SEC—he’s thriving.

“This shows DeBoer isn’t just trying to keep the lights on,” said ESPN recruiting insider Tom Luginbill. “He’s out to win. This is what Alabama fans were hoping for.”

On the field, Matthews is a game-changer. He brings an elite blend of speed, size, and body control. As a junior, he caught 74 passes for 1,412 yards and 18 touchdowns against elite Texas 6A competition. Scouts rave about his ability to win 50-50 balls, his route precision, and his instincts in open space.

With the Tide expected to lose several top wide receivers to the 2026 NFL Draft, Matthews will have an opportunity to compete early. Alabama has a reputation for not just developing talent—but playing it early if it earns the spot.

Matthews could team up with fellow blue-chip WR commit Quincy Hart, forming a potentially dominant duo that will give the Crimson Tide another weapon-rich offense for years to come.

“This kid could be WR1 in the SEC by Year 2,” one scout told On3 Sports. “He’s that polished and that explosive.”

Matthews’ flip is already having ripple effects across the recruiting landscape.

Other elite recruits are taking notice—especially those considering both Alabama and Ole Miss. Defensive back Tyrese Hunter, a 4-star Mississippi native who was trending toward the Rebels, posted an eyeball emoji on social media shortly after Matthews’ announcement. Likewise, 4-star QB Caleb McNeal, currently uncommitted but long rumored to be leaning toward Alabama, retweeted the news with the caption: “Let’s work.”

It’s a reminder that in recruiting, momentum matters. One major flip can lead to another, and Alabama has now reinserted itself into conversations for multiple top players who might have otherwise looked elsewhere.

As for Ole Miss, the Rebels now find themselves scrambling—not only to replace Matthews, but also to reassure the rest of their class that the ship remains steady.

As expected, social media exploded.

Alabama fans flooded Twitter/X and Instagram with messages celebrating the commitment, declaring that “Bama’s back” and praising DeBoer for “owning the portal and the high school trail.”

Ole Miss fans were… less enthused.

From accusations of NIL tampering to despair over losing their top recruit, the response from Oxford has ranged from shock to fury.

“This is recruiting heartbreak 101,” one Rebels fan posted. “We watched this kid sell our program, fall in love with our coaches, and then bounce the second Bama turned up the heat.”

Others, more measured, admitted that Alabama’s tradition and NFL pedigree simply proved too strong to compete with.

“Can’t even blame him,” wrote another fan. “If Julio, Jeudy, and Smitty all came from the same place, you follow that road.”

For Alabama, the goal now is to keep building on this momentum. With Matthews in the fold, the Tide’s 2025 class vaults into the top 3 nationally and continues to challenge Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas for supremacy.

The staff will turn its focus toward finishing strong on the defensive line, offensive tackle, and adding a top-tier cornerback. But the hard part—reeling in a major commitment—just got checked off in spectacular fashion.

For Ole Miss, the loss of Matthews could become a galvanizing moment or a harbinger of more attrition. Lane Kiffin will need to go all-in to hold the rest of his class together and possibly dip into the portal for reinforcements. More importantly, he must show recruits that the Rebels are still a program on the rise—not one easily abandoned.

In the ever-changing world of college football recruiting, nothing is ever truly final until the National Letter of Intent is signed. And even then, the transfer portal has introduced an entirely new element of volatility.

But on this day, Alabama reminded everyone why they’re the gold standard. By flipping a 5-star Ole Miss commit who had seemingly shut down his recruitment, the Tide reaffirmed their dominance—and gave their fanbase a powerful reason to believe in the Kalen DeBoer era.