Ole Miss’ Cody Prewitt marries high school sweetheart

During his impressive collegiate football career, Cody Prewitt made many a trip through the Walk of Champions in The Grove at Ole Miss, but this past Saturday the Rebels’ All-American safety was part of another memorable walk. In a beautiful ceremony, surrounded by family and friends, the football star watched as Jena Ely, his high school sweetheart, walked down the aisle to marry him.

The couple, who began dating during their high school days at Sylva-Bay Academy in Bay Springs, Miss., married at The Lodge at Brother’s Cove in Sevierville, Tenn., a picturesque location in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Jena and Cody Prewitt are joined by their wedding party. (Photo credit: Jenn McKee, Jenn McKee Photography)

Jena’s bridesmaids were: Chelsea Ely, Rachel Jenkins, Virginia Seilers, Laken Ely, Brianna Upton, and Caitlin Prewitt. Flower girl was Brantlee Phillips

Cody’s groomsmen were: Charlie Scott, Billy Busch, Zach Gregory, Josh Ely, Jake Fusia and Jordan Holder. Ring bearer was Micah Odom and Sign Bearer was Brecken Phillips.

Mr. and Mrs. Cody Prewitt. (Photo credit: Jenn McKee, Jenn McKee Photography)

Cari Ely, the bride’s mother, reflected on her daughter’s wedding:

“The wedding was stunning; however, all the beautiful decorations and breathtaking views paled in comparison to the love and joy that radiated from Jena and Cody on their special day.” — Cari Ely, Mother-of-the-Bride

Most Rebel fans know that Cody is expected to be selected in the early rounds of the NFL Draft, April 30-May 2. Jena will graduate in May from Ole Miss with a degree in Exercise Science. She plans to go to graduate school when she and Cody find out where he will be playing professional football. It’s important that she finds a graduate school close to Cody, especially now that they’re married. Of course, when she starts applying for graduate school, she’ll need to consider how she’s going to pay for this. It’s well known that graduate school isn’t cheap, so she’ll need to work out her finances before attending. When most people try to apply for these schools, they have to search the internet for information on how to pay for grad school as it is so expensive. Hopefully, she’ll have all of that sorted before she applies, there’s nothing worse than having to worry about finances when continuing your education. In addition to her education, Jena is also a National Cheerleading Association cheer instructor and all-star cheer coach for Oxford Cheer.

Mrs. Ely works at Sylva-Bay Academy where Jena and Cody went to high school, and she recalls something Cody said to her many years ago. “Since he was a sophomore, Cody used to come into my office and tell me I was going to be his mother-in-law,” she said. “I guess he knew what he was talking about.”

While Ole Miss fans are sad to see Cody leave, they can gain some comfort knowing they will soon be able to watch him play on Sundays. And wherever he ends up, Cody will have Jena by his side as he has for many years. “They were a joy to watch grow up together,” Mrs. Ely added. “Theirs is the classic American love story.”

Congratulations to Cody and Jena!

Stay tuned to The Rebel Walk for NFL Draft updates on Cody and all our Ole Miss Rebels!

The Rebel Walk thanks Mrs. Cari Ely and Jenn McKee Photography for the beautiful wedding pictures. For Ms. McKee’s contact information, please click here.

Editor’s note: These wedding pictures are the exclusive property of the Prewitt/Ely families and Jenn McKee Photography and may not be used without permission.