The Flagship: Yes, Dear’s a true RB-1 of the future for Ole Miss football

Ole Miss and head coach Lane Kiffin are busy with spring practice and preparing for arguably the biggest season in program history. But recruiting never stops. And it didn’t on Saturday. Quitman (Miss.) running back Akylin Dear announced his verbal commitment to the Rebels. He chose the Rebels over notable offers from Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Texas A&M, among many others.
On this episode of “The Flagship”, presented by College Corner, Grayson Weir joins to discuss the impact of the four-star joining the 2025 class. How big of a deal is it for the other top prospects in the Magnolia State? What kind of game will he bring to Oxford, Miss.?
We dive in here.

The 6-foot-1, 200 pound recruit is listed as the nation’s 34th overall prospect.
He is the 2nd-ranked running back and Mississippi’s No. 2 rising senior, per On3’s Industry Ranking. On3 ranks him about the same. Dear is listed as the No. 37 overall prospect, No. 2 running back and 3rd-ranked recruit in the Magnolia State.
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The talented prospect has high hopes for himself and does not hesitate to set the bar high when working on his craft. In fact, he wants to aim for the all-time leading rusher in high school football history.
“Another Derrick Henry, or better,” Dear said. “I’m physical with a lot of power, fast. I can catch. Whatever you need me to do, I’m going to do it.”