Inside the Rebels has made their Crystal Ball prediction that four-star edge CJ May would commit to Ole Miss. May was on the Ole Miss campus earlier this week and is planning an official meeting with the Rebels. May’s most recent visit was her second journey to Oxford in just over a month.

The 6-4, 225-pound May is a four-star prospect out of Highland Home (Ala.) High School, ranked No. 16 in America and No. 12 in Alabama’s 2025 class by the industry-generated 247Sports Composite index. In the 247Sports exclusive rankings, he is the nation’s No. 22 edge and the No. 16 Alabama player.

247Sports’ No. 1 ranked RB Akylin Dear commits to Ole Miss

Quitman (Miss.) High Blue Chipper Akylin Dear, 247Sports’ top-ranked running back in the country, has committed to Ole Miss. He visited Oxford earlier this week.

Dear, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 200 pounds, chose the Rebels over Texas A&M, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M, South Carolina, Oregon, and USC, among others.

“The amount of love they show when I’m down there is crazy,” he remarked.

It’s easy to see why. Dear dominated defenses as a junior, racking up 2,016 yards and 27 touchdowns. He becomes the Rebels’ second commit in the 2025 cycle.

Running backs coach Kevin Smith spearheaded the effort to recruit Dear, who enjoys the offense in Oxford.

“How they use their running backs to catch the ball and run a lot,” she remarked. “Coach Kevin Smith is very knowledgeable about the game. “I can’t wait to get up there and have him teach me the game.”

Dear thinks he can succeed at Ole Miss, but it was the energy and inviting atmosphere he experienced on each visit.

“I was down there not too long ago when they played Auburn in basketball,” Dear said. “People down there are crazy and make me feel like home. I felt that way for a minute but wanted to take my time. I finally sat down with my mom and family and prayed about it.”

Now Dear is in the fold.

“It ain’t even just me,” he continued. “How they make my mom and stepdad feel, they’re so excited smiling all through the day.”

No question Kiffin, Smith and company are smiling. 247Sports National Analyst Cooper Petagna certainly likes the addition for the Rebels as well.

“A strong North, South runner,” Petagna said. “Love his patience, vision, instincts, strong balance, body control, ability to break tackles and Iove his ability to get skinny between the tackles too. I thinks he’s a hidden yardage machine that also has big-play ability as well.”