New Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding has his first major victory on the recruiting trail as the leader of the Rebels.

Five-star Greene County (Miss.) wideout Jase Mathews is staying home, flipping his commitment from Auburn to Ole Miss on Friday afternoon. He had been committed to the Tigers since June, but with coaching changes at all three schools he was strongly considering — Ole Miss, LSU and Auburn — he had to take a bit more time before he signed on the dotted line.

The Rebels were one of a handful of schools that got official visits over the summer, but Mathews ultimately decided to go with the Tigers that time. Ole Miss’ staff remained in contact with him though. And even with Lane Kiffin leaving, the appeal of playing for his in-state school was strong.

“The people that didn’t leave I’m still in connections as well, and they’re pulling for me and say I need to stay home,” he told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong earlier this week.

Kiffin hired former Ole Miss Rebel, NFL wide receiver and cousin of Mathews, Donte Moncrief, to his staff earlier this year.

Mathews, who was sidelined this fall by injury, is one of the nation’s top playmakers at wide receiver. Rivals tabs him as the nation’s No. 20 overall prospect and No. 3 receiver.

As a senior this fall, he caught nine passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns before missing the rest of his team’s games. As a junior, he hauled in 68 catches for 1,138 yards and 15 scores.

Scouting Jase Mathews

Rivals’ Scouting and Rankings Team writes this about him as a prospect:

“Mathews is a skilled wide receiver who could push as the top pass-catcher in the 2026 cycle. Has a big frame that belies the eye test, measuring in at around 6-foot-1.5, 195 pounds with 33-inch arms and 10-inch hands. Registers as a plus athlete in the combine setting. Operates with a high level of skill on Friday nights and in the camp setting. Shows the ability to create separation at every level. Stacks defenders off the line of scrimmage and has considerable shake within his routes. Flashes a large catch radius, leaving his feet to extend for remarkable grabs. A ball-winner in contested catch situations, showing body control and strong hands. Finished his junior season with 68 catches for 1,138 yards and 15 touchdowns in 10 games. Also plays basketball. Did much of his damage out of the slot as a junior, but showed the ability to win on the outside in the camp setting. The high level of skill and well-rounded nature to his game makes him one of the top pass-catchers in the cycle and one who could project as an early-round draft pick.”