Ole Miss had a lot of top transfer portal acquisition the offseason including Walter Nolan, Chris “Poo” Paul Jr. and Princely Unanmielen on defense are a few names that come to mind. On the offensive side of the ball, Antwane “Juice” Wells and Henry Parish Jr. come to mind for many.
Beyond Wells, Tre Harris is a returning wide receiver that has Rebel fans ecstatic for 2024 and captured attention in the national spotlight. What the national scene is not necessarily aware of that Rebel nation keenly is, is their receiver room as a whole. Beyond Wells and Harris, there are some other names to be aware of.
Which receivers will breakout for Ole Miss in 2024?
Deion Smith
Smith comes from Holmes Community College where he caught 48 passes for 1,063 yards in 2023. That averages out to and eye-popping 22.1 yards per reception. Smith’s talent makes him most likely a plug and play alongside Wells and Harris. He is rated by On3 as the number one junior college player in the nation for the class of 2024.
As long as Smith lives up to his billing, his presence will force defensive backs to account for all receivers on the field, and not be able to double team Wells or Harris. His strong-bodied six foot two inch 172 pound frame is more than enough for him to be seen throughout his season with Holmes Community College snatching the ball out of the air with force.
Ayden Williams
Williams heads into his sophomore season after playing sparingly in 2023. A full year of development under Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weiss Jr. on offense should have this former four star prospect ready to emerge in 2025.
Williams was ranked as the number two recruit in the state of Mississippi by On3 and a 2022 Under Armour All-American
What were Ayden Williams’ high school stats? Williams totaled 1,265 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns in his senior year at Ridgeland high school.
Cayden Lee: Lee came in the class of 2022 along with other Ole Miss wideout Ayden Williams and appeared sparingly as well in 2023. Lee however did show signs of what was to come with two receiving touchdowns.
What were Cayden Lee’s high school stats? In both his junior and senior seasons for Kennesaw Mountain High School in Kennesaw, Georgia, Lee stole the show recording over 1,000 receiving yards in each to go along with 11 touchdowns in his junior season and 13 touchdowns his senior year.
While he may be the fourth or fifth option in 2024, Lee could move up the depth chart quickly as the receiver position, so do not be surprised if he is seen more and more as the year progresses.
Which other Ole Miss wide receiver’s should you be on the lookout for in 2024?
While he is not a breakout receiver and projected to be more of a compliment to the rest of the cast in 2024, fifth year senior Jordan Watkins is absolutely worth mentioning for the Rebels. Watkins has provided the Rebels with a reliable option over the past three seasons where he totaled at least 400 yards in each.
In fact, in 2023 Watkins recorded career highs in receptions with 53 and receiving yards with 741 to go along with three touchdowns. He will serve as more than a security blanket, but a reliable secondary option and surely a mentor to help the younger star-studded cast come along in Oxford.
Although wide receivers are the focus here, it would not be fair to not mention returning senior tight end Caden Prieskorn who emerged as a big time target for quarterback Jaxson Dart last year. Prieskorn’s ability as a pass catcher should help for the emergence of Smith and Williams even more-so in 2024.
And oh yeah- let’s not forget that head coach Lane Kiffin has a third year starting quarterback returning in Dart. The Rebels are locked and loaded for 2024.