Elite linebacker Izayia Williams flips commitment from Florida to Ole Miss

Leesburg (Fla.) Tavares four-star linebacker Izayia Williams has flipped his commitment from Florida to Ole Miss, he announced on Friday.

He had previously been pledged to the Gators since March 6, and was also at one time committed to Florida State, Syracuse, and Louisville over the past two years. However, after his official visit with the Rebels during the weekend of April 26, he made the call to join their class and play for Lane Kiffin and Co.

The addition is a huge one for the Rebels, as Williams checks in as one of the country’s premier linebacker prospects.

As a junior last season, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Williams racked up 137 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, six sacks, five pass breakups and an interception. That strong play carried over to Under Armour All-America week, as his performances caught the eye of On3 National Scout Cody Bellaire.

“Izayia Williams jumped on our radar from the start of practice. He was one of the most physically impressive linebackers in attendance,” said Bellaire. “Williams started off a little slow during practice but was one of the best linebackers in the game, tallying seven tackles. He has quite the future ahead of him if the game was any indication.”

He ranks as the nation’s No. 41 overall prospect and No. 3 LB, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

On3, however, is much higher on him than other services. In the most recent On300 rankings update, he was tabbed as the country’s No. 13 recruit and No. 1 linebacker.

Ole Miss adds elite recruit to 2026 class

The addition of Williams vaults Ole Miss into the top 25 of the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. The Rebels now have six commits in their 2026 class.

Austin (Texas) Westlake three-star quarterback Rees Wise committed on April 14 and is currently the No. 29 QB in the nation. His commitment came three days after Nettleton (Miss.) Tupelo three-star cornerback Braylen Williams did the same.

“I love the staff so much. I love the QB development there,” Wise told OM Spirit. “You have every opportunity there, everything to use, all the stuff.”

Sacramento Folsom four-star wide receiver Jameson Powell was the top-ranked commit in the class before Williams joined, checking in as the No. 399 recruit overall. Powell committed toward the end of January.

Niceville (Fla.) three-star athlete Zion Legree and Montgomery (Ala.) Pike Road three-star running back Ja’Michael Jones help round out the class. Jones is the No. 36 RB overall. Legree is the longest-tenured pledge in the mix, as he committed last November.