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Ole Miss

Ole Miss inches closer to landing 4-star OT Johnnie Jones

On3 imageby: Billy Embody05/29/25BillyEmbody
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Johnnie Jones. (On3)

2026 Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep four-star offensive tackle Johnnie Jones included Ole Miss in his top six schools on Wednesday, he announced.

Jones told On3’s Hayes Fawcett that UCLA, Ole Miss, Penn State, Florida State, Colorado and Vanderbilt are the remaining contenders to land him. As it stands right now, Jones doesn’t have any school on top in his recruitment.

“Everyone is equal right now,” he told On3’s Steve Wiltfong last month. “I won’t have a leader until the end of June.”

Ole Miss had a great visit with Jones, but others will try to top it. Last month, he made his way out to Oxford and spent the weekend with Ole Miss. They made a strong impression and have been one of his top schools for some time.

“Coach (John) Garrison is more of the relationship aspect and being able to coach guys a certain way to have them playing at their best, not always having to yell or scream,” Jones said of the Rebels. “It was great, was able to see the town and understand how it works and I like that there is no distractions and the main goal I see from the players is that education and football is there main focus not going to a bunch of parties.

“I appreciate that honestly (from Garrison). He wants me to come to the program and play and be able to help them play for a National Championship. They are I a school I could definitely see myself attend due to the town structure.”

The 6-foot-7, 315-pounder has already taken official visits with the Buffaloes and Rebels, and has three more scheduled with the Nittany Lions, Seminoles and UCLA next month. Miami was considered the favorite for a while, but landed Five-Star Plus+ offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell.

He knows what he’s looking for on his official visits.

“I want to come away with a clear sense of where I can grow the most — athletically, personally and academically,” Jones said. “For me, the separating factor will be where I feel most like family and where the development plan is clear. A place that feels like home, but also challenges me to be great — that’s what I’m looking for.”

As for what will ultimately help him decide where he wants to go, relationships and the coaching staff are paramount to Jones.

“One of the main factors for me is relationships,” Jones told On3’s Chad Simmons this spring. “Another thing is that I’m definitely going to pray about my decision to make sure I feel good. The last thing is that I want to see myself being in the city and living there.” 

He checks in as On3’s No. 81 overall prospect, No. 8 offensive tackle and No. 10 prospect in Florida in the 2026 class.

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