Ole Miss Extends Offer to Top‑10 Running Back Damarius Yates
Ole Miss running back coach Kevin Smith and head coach Lane Kiffin have offered a scholarship to Damarius Yates, a four-star, top‑10 running back in the 2026 recruiting class. Yates, from Kemper County High School in Mississippi, burst onto the national scene with a stellar junior-year performance and an official visit to Oxford this spring .
👤 Who Is Damarius Yates?
Standout mix: 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, with 1,339 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground in 2024.
Threat as a receiver: added 30 catches for 453 yards and four touchdowns, showcasing versatility .
National recognition: rated a Top‑10 running back in America across major recruiting services .
🎯 Why He Matters to Ole Miss
Elite talent to Oxford: Yates brings proven production and high ceiling to a backfield already featuring strong returners like Henry Parrish Jr. and Logan Diggs .
Impact on 2026 class: His commitment could elevate the class significantly, especially given he chose Ole Miss over big programs like Alabama, Florida State, and Tennessee .
Change after decommitment: Yates originally committed to Mississippi State in December, but reopened his recruitment and landed with the Rebels this spring .
✅ What Comes Next
While Yates has buzzed online about his visit, no official commitment has been announced yet.
If he signs, he’ll join a robust running back room and bolster Ole Miss’s SEC standing in position-group recruiting—something Kiffin has prioritized
Bottom Line: With his multi-dimensional skill set and high national ranking, Damarius Yates is the next big running back target for Ole Miss. Securing him would reinforce a trend under Lane Kiffin: betting on Mississippi talent and building a class with power and depth.
