Pete Golding, Ole Miss beat out Alabama, others for intriguing three-star TE Colton Johnson

Mississippi Rebels head coach Pete Golding. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Pete Golding, Ole Miss beat out Alabama, others for intriguing three-star TE Colton Johnson

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jul 9, 2026 8:21 PM ET

Colton Johnson has a ton of potential as a 2027 tight end recruit.

He's ranked as "just" a three-star, according to the consensus rankings, but he brings a lot of intriguing things to the table when you project him into a college developmental program.

First is the size. He checks in at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds as a rising senior in high school. That's SEC size right there, and he could absolutely get bigger.

He also had great production as a junior at Upperman High School in Baxter, Tennessee. Johnson caught 36 passes for 615 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 16.6 yards per catch in 2025.

There's a reason he boasts over 60 offers at the college level, but on Thursday, he whittled that offer list down to one.

With the Alabama Crimson Tide, Florida State Seminoles, North Carolina Tar Heels and Purdue Boilermakers also in the running, the tight end prospect committed to Pete Golding and the Ole Miss Rebels.

After long talks and prayers with my family I am blessed to be able to make this decision. I’m excited to announce I’ll be committing to @OleMissFB !!! @CoachWoodiel @CoachGolding @ChadSimmons_ @TomLoy247 @kam_wicker @Hayesfawcett3 @BaxterFootball #agtg pic.twitter.com/7TzcI3FYLA
— Colton “CJ” Johnson 3⭐️ (@coltonFB_23) July 9, 2026

The Rebels offered Johnson in January, and they came hard after his commitment.

“They’ve been very consistent,” Johnson told Rivals. “They were very hard on me as soon as they started recruiting me, and it’s kind of been that way throughout."

Pete Golding lands three-star TE Colton Johnson for Ole Miss Rebels

Johnson visited Ole Miss for a spring practice and then took an official visit to Oxford in late May.

He loves the people at Ole Miss and the atmosphere down in Oxford, which is known to be one of the best football towns in the country.

It was Golding who really sealed the deal for Ole Miss, though.

“Every talk we’ve had, he’s always told me exactly how I fit in and why he thinks I’m a great recruit for their program," Johnson said. "He shared his vision for the program, and he let me know he wants to be in Oxford. His wife is from there, and he wants to build something there. I think it’s a great place to be, and the coaching staff is really together.”

Johnson is ranked as the No. 24 tight end recruit in the country, according to 247Sports.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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