Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels are red hot on the recruiting trail.
June was strong on the commitment front and July is looking even better. Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy defensive back Major Preston became the third pledge in the first six days of the month in going public with his pledge on Saturday evening.
The four-star picked Ole Miss over finalists Florida, Colorado and Virginia Tech in the end.
“Me and coach Wes Neighbors have been locked in for a while now,” Preston told Rivals. “When I went up there I got the home feeling. It’s the place where I want to be, the place to put great people around me, with a great coaching staff that can develop me and take my game to the next level.
“From the coaching staff to other people on campus, it’s the place I want to be.”
The versatile IMG secondary recruit, who originally hails from Virginia, can play both cornerback and safety. He has experience at each and moves around at the prep level.
In the SEC, he may work into a similar role.
“They expect me to come in there and have an immediate impact,” Preston said. “They’re losing 10 guys in the secondary after this coming season, so they expect me to come in there and produce. They say I’m going to play all five positions.
“It’s big for me to have the opportunity to play wherever in the secondary. To be able to get on the field early at an SEC program is big for me.”
The versatile vision in Oxford comes from head coach Kiffin, defensive coordinator Pete Golding on down. The newest Rebel spent time with several coaches while in town most recently.
It’s when he pulled the trigger for the program.
“Coach Golding, that’s my guy,” Preston said. “He’s a high-energy guy. I got to see him coach in person, during practice and stuff. Coach Kiffin is my guy. We’ve been locked in since the official when I got to meet him. Great conversations with him.I’ve been silently committed for a while now. They were more excited than I was when I committed. They were talking like I was a high priority for them.
“It was over when I took my official visit up there. It was great hospitality and just talking with the coaching staff — having individual meetings with them — the things they were telling me about what I can do there made me feel good.”
The latest blue-chipper on the future Rebel roster has a message for his new fanbase.
“They’re getting a hard worker,” Preston said. “A great guy on the field, off the field. Somebody that’s gonna come in and produce for the program.
“Hotty Toddy! Let’s go! Let’s work!”