Rising recruiting target says Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss Rebels 'have the juice' compared to Bill Belichick's Tar Heels

The Ole Miss Rebels and North Carolina Tar Heels are locked in a fierce recruiting battle for a highly sought-after offensive lineman, with both programs vying to secure the prospect's commitment. Rising three-star offensive lineman Tyreek Jemison is getting more attention than most players ranked in his range.

Lane Kiffin and his staff are putting in the effort to show Jemison that Oxford is the place to be for winning, culture, and development. 

"It was a great visit," Jemison told 247Sports of his spring visit to Oxford. "I liked the energy and the juice. It was very well. It was the last practice, so it was like the last day of school.

Jemison, a 2026 offensive lineman from Paulding County High School in Dallas, Georgia, is a highly coveted prospect in the recruiting landscape. Standing at 6'5" and weighing 310 pounds, Jemison is ranked as the No. 22 interior offensive lineman nationally and the No. 39 player in Georgia. On the 247Sports Composite, he is a three-star prospect, ranked as the No. 520 player nationally and No. 47 interior offensive lineman.

Jemison has narrowed his college choices to five finalists: Ole Miss, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, NC State, and Kentucky, with a commitment decision set for June 27, 2025. 

Ole Miss is reportedly surging in his recruitment, bolstered by an official visit where Jemison praised the "energy and juice" of their high-intensity practice environment. 

"It was very high intensity on the field. Coach (Lane) Kiffin and Coach (John) Garrison have a lot of juice. All in all, it was a great practice with great intensity."

He also has strong ties to Georgia Tech, where he’s been a frequent visitor, appreciating the coaching staff’s hospitality and the program’s rising trajectory.

North Carolina, led by Bill Belichick, offers NFL-caliber coaching, but Jemison’s visits to NC State and Kentucky also highlight their competitive pitches, with official visits scheduled to all four schools.

Jemison reportedly values development, cultural fit, and education in his decision-making process. His physicality, ability to finish blocks, and improved agility after dropping from 330 to 310 pounds make him a standout in the trenches, drawing over 30 scholarship offers from programs like Pitt, Nebraska, and Stanford.

The good news for Ole Miss is that their staff is built to win a race like this, whereas Belichick's newfound efforts are still developing.

Kiffin’s dynamic leadership at Ole Miss is fueling a vibrant, energetic program that resonates strongly with young recruits, while Bill Belichick’s storied reputation at North Carolina brings a contrasting approach shaped by decades of NFL experience.

Ole Miss, under Kiffin, has cultivated a high-energy environment that thrives on innovation and a player-centric culture. The Rebels’ fast-paced, modern approach to college football, combined with Kiffin’s knack for connecting with younger athletes through social media and a relatable coaching style, gives them a magnetic pull. 

Their recent success, including a strong 2024 season and a reputation for developing NFL-ready talent, further amplifies their appeal. As one recruiting analyst noted, “Lane Kiffin has done a tremendous job of making Ole Miss a destination for elite talent, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.”

In contrast, North Carolina, led by the 73-year-old Belichick, leans on his unparalleled NFL pedigree, with six Super Bowl titles and a legacy of defensive excellence. However, Belichick’s staff, composed largely of seasoned coaches with NFL backgrounds, may lack the youthful vigor that resonates with today’s recruits. 

The Tar Heels’ program, while disciplined and professional, could feel less dynamic compared to the high-octane atmosphere at Ole Miss. “Bill Belichick is a legend, no doubt, but his approach is more old-school, and that might not vibe as much with 18-year-old kids looking for energy and excitement,” said a recruiting insider at the time he was hired.

As the recruitment race heats up, Ole Miss’s vibrant culture and Kiffin’s ability to sell a vision of immediate impact could outshine North Carolina’s more traditional, methodical approach under Belichick. The decision remains pending, with both programs awaiting the lineman’s final choice.