ANNOUNCEMENT: Hazlehurst Star Trae Collins Commits to Ole Miss: Lane Kiffin Strikes Early in 2027 Cycle
In a bold and early recruiting win, Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels have secured a commitment from one of Mississippi’s rising stars. On Sunday night, Hazlehurst (Miss.) defensive back Trae Collins — a Top-300 prospect in the 2027 recruiting cycle — announced his verbal commitment to the Rebels, sending a clear message to SEC rivals: the Rebels are not waiting around when it comes to locking down elite in-state talent.
Collins, who stands at 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, has been quietly building a name for himself in recruiting circles. While his offer list remains short — not yet reaching double digits — his stock is surging among scouts and analysts. College programs are beginning to take serious notice of the long, athletic defensive back with elite ball skills and the type of closing speed that’s tailor-made for SEC defenses.
Despite the limited offers so far, Ole Miss moved fast and decisively to get ahead of the competition — and they succeeded. Collins’ decision to commit before the start of his junior season speaks volumes about his trust in Kiffin’s vision and the Rebels’ program. It also underscores how Ole Miss is positioning itself early in the 2027 recruiting cycle to dominate locally and nationally.
“I just felt like it was the right time,” Collins told reporters following his announcement. “Coach Kiffin and the staff made me feel like family from the beginning. They see something in me, and I believe in what they’re building in Oxford.”
While still early in his high school career, Collins already shows the traits of a future SEC contributor — rangy coverage, physical tackling, and a nose for the football. He played both sides of the ball for Hazlehurst last season, but it’s on defense where he projects to thrive at the next level. His fluid hips, footwork, and length make him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, and his frame suggests he can add more muscle without sacrificing speed.
For Ole Miss, landing a talent like Collins before his junior season kicks off gives them a critical head start. Kiffin and his staff have made a habit of unearthing and developing high-upside prospects, especially in the defensive backfield, and Collins fits that mold perfectly.
This commitment also sends a message to Mississippi high school prospects: the path to success can still go through Oxford. With LSU, Alabama, and even Georgia sniffing around the Magnolia State in recent cycles, Kiffin’s ability to keep Collins home could pay dividends beyond just this commitment. It re-establishes a recruiting perimeter and builds momentum in a class that will be vital for the Rebels’ long-term competitiveness in the SEC.
As for Collins, the spotlight is only going to get brighter from here. The Rebels may have landed a commitment early, but other schools are unlikely to back off completely. Still, for now, Trae Collins is a Rebel — and the future of the Ole Miss secondary just got a lot more exciting.
