Ole Miss Football Target, Coveted Defensive Lineman Reveals Commitment to UCF Knights

Originally posted on Ole Miss Rebels on SI | By Zack Nagy | Last updated Jul 4, 2025 12:50 PM ET

Ocean Springs (Miss.) St. Martin defensive lineman Jayden Curtis remains a priority prospect for Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels in the 2026 Recruiting Cycle.

Curtis, who's quickly emerging as a talented under-the-radar prospect in the Magnolia State, has the attention of the hometown program.

The Mississippi native made his way up to Oxford in June to compete in the program's offensive line/defensive line camp.

Curtis walked in without an offer, but quickly got the attention of position coach Randall Joyner during drills.

He then earned an offer with the Rebels extending one in person to the fast-rising prospect.

But Curtis has received a myriad of offers across his prep career with the UCF Knights, Tulane Green Wave and Memphis Tigers, among others, extending scholarships his way.

The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder revealed this week a commitment to the UCF Knights after going public with a decision over the Ole Miss Rebels.

Huge congratulations to our very own Jayden Curtis on his commitment to UCF! #stingem #TheColony #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/hSgMhOmLBg
— St. Martin High School (@StMartinHighSc1) July 3, 2025

Ole Miss recently landed a commitment from a coveted defensive lineman after flipping the Illinois native from Wisconsin.

Meet the Pledge: Carmelow Reed

Richton Park (Ill.) Rich Township three-star EDGE Carmelow Reed verbally committed to Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels in June after going public with a decision.

Reed, who pledged to the Wisconsin Badgers in April, flipped his commitment to the Rebels following a multi-day stay in Oxford this offseason.

The Top-100 defensive lineman comes in at 6-foot-7, 250 pounds heading into his senior campaign with a myriad of schools extending offers.

Now, it's the Ole Miss Rebels that win out for his services after successfully flipping the former Big Ten pledge.

“The people around the city absolutely love the school and the players playing for the school so that was good,” Reed told On3 Sports. “The staff was great, too. Like everybody was just awesome. I’m so excited about this.

“I loved the Ole Miss visit. The love I was being shown from everyone around was great and something I want to be a part of!”

The recruiting efforts of Ole Miss defensive line coach Randall Joyner ultimately paid off down the stretch in this one after keeping a foot on the gas for Reed's services despite a commitment to Wisconsin.

“He was a really good coach,” Reed said. “He breaks down the game of football to where if you’re a bystander you’ll understand it and he’s really energetic.”

Last season, Reed logged 33 total tackles with five sacks as a junior, but the expectation remains that his ceiling is sky high.

This article first appeared on Ole Miss Rebels on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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