Top Mississippi recruits in the 2026 Rivals Industry Rankings

The state of Mississippi continues to churn out top high school football talent. That’s once again the case in the class of 2026. There are currently 14 blue-chip prospects in the Magnolia State this cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. That includes five top-100 recruits.

All but two of those 14 are already committed, too. With football season just a step away, here are the top prospects in Mississippi, as well as where they are currently committed, as of Aug. 7:

1. WR Tristen Keys — LSU commit

School: Hattiesburg
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 7 NATL. (No. 1 WR)

Scouting Summary: “Contested catch maven who looks like the top wide receiver prospect early in the 2026 cycle. Has good size, measuring at over 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.”

2. S Bralan Womack

School: Hartfield Academy
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 21 NATL. (No. 3 S)

About: One of the nation’s top uncommitted prospects, Womack has set an Aug. 21 decision date. He’ll choose between Auburn, Florida, Ohio State and Texas A&M. The Buckeyes still have the edge in the Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine, but the latest intel from Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong suggests that none of the four high-profile programs are out of the race just yet. Womack took official visits to each of his finalists back in June and will be one to watch as he maneuvers toward his commitment in just over two weeks.

3. DL Nolan Wilson — Alabama commit

School: Picayune Memorial
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 64 NATL. (No. 3 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.”

4. WR Jase Matthews

School: Greene County
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 83 NATL. (No. 9 WR)

About: A decision will be here in just over 24 hours for Mathews, one of the top prospects left on the board this cycle. He’s down to four SEC programs: Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, Texas A&M. Down the stretch, it’s Auburn that has the edge in the Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine. He logged his official visits in June, worked through a lowkey recruiting process and will now come off the board ahead of his senior season.

5. TJ White — Tennessee commit

School: Jackson Academy
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 96 NATL. (No. 7 LB)

White on his decision: “Tennessee is an amazing place,” White told Rivals’ Chad Simmons. “Everyone on the staff is amazing. They have all gotten to know me… Coach (Josh) Heupel, coach (William) Inge and all of the coaching staff knows me and wants me there. They all care for their players and they know the game of football … When I am at Tennessee, I feel at home. It is about the people and everything feels right for me there.”

6. DL JaReylan McCoy — Florida commit

School: Tupelo
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 108 NATL. (No. 11 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.”

7. RB Damarius Yates — Ole Miss commit

School: Kemper County
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 113 NATL. (No. 10 RB)

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.”

8. WR Xavier McDonald — Sacramento State commit

School: Morton
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 135 NATL. (No. 19 WR)

On the commitment: “The Hornets received the last official visit on the weekend of June 20. Marrion, offensive coordinator Kenneth Merchant and wide receivers coach Sidhart Krishnamurthi all spent a lot of time with McDonald and they showed him how he could be a focal point in their scheme.” — Rivals’ Chad Simmons

9. CB Preston Ashley — Colorado commit

School: Brandon
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 234 NATL. (No. 23 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.”

10. S Tylan Wilson — Texas A&M commit

School: Pascagoula
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 242 NATL. (No. 20 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.”

Other blue-chip prospects in Mississippi this cycle

11. DL Dereon Albert — Tennessee commit
12. DL Corey Wells — Texas commit
13. Emanuel Tucker — LSU commit
14. IOL Donel Robinson — Baylor commit