Ole Miss flips 2026 legacy DL Jayden Curtis from UCF

Ocean Springs (Miss.) St. Martin three-star defensive lineman Jayden Curtis has flipped his commitment from UCF to Ole Miss, he announced on Monday.

He was pledged to the Knights since July 3, but is now set to stay in-state and suit up for Lane Kiffin and the Rebels.

Curtis is the No. 97 defensive lineman and No. 26 player in Mississippi in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the No. 66 DL, per Rivals’ rankings.

The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder took an official visit to Oxford at the end of June, but still opted to pledge to Scott Frost and UCF at the beginning of July. Ole Miss hung around, however, and has now landed another flip this fall. Curtis was on campus for the Rebels’ season-opener this fall.

Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong reported on Sept. 4 that the Rebels were gaining steam in his recruitment. Curtis’ father, Dwayne, played basketball at Ole Miss in the mid 2000s.

“The Rebels remained in touch and pushed the right buttons during his visit while showing how successful he can be on and off the field close to home,” Wiltfong wrote, predicting the Rebels to flip Curtis from UCF. “His father played basketball for Ole Miss, and he has family connections who live within a short distance of the campus. And the Rebels’ production and development along the defensive line is a major feather in their cap, too.”

More on Ole Miss Recruiting

With Curtis now in the fold, Ole Miss is up to 17 commits and ranks No. 21 nationally, per the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. That’s good for No. 10 in the SEC, too.

De Kalb (Miss.) Kemper County four-star running back Damarius Yates sits atop the class as the No. 133 recruit and No. 10 RB nationally. He and Curtis are two of five in-state commits in the mix for Kiffin and Co.

Over the weekend, New Albany (Miss.) four-star offensive tackle Emanuel Tucker flipped to Ole Miss from LSU. He’s the No. 25 OT in the cycle and one of two O-linemen in the class, alongside Miami Southridge three-star IOL Ryan Miret.

While Southeast prospects dominate the pledge list, the Midwest is represented, too. Decatur (Ill.) Mt. Zion four-star tight end JC Anderson, Lincoln City (Ind.) Heritage Hills Rivals four-star athlete Jett Goldsberry and Chicago Rich Township three-star defensive lineman Carmelow Reed are all committed to the Rebels.

The entire Ole Miss recruiting class can be seen here.