Stony Brook-transfer Jackson Jones, who runs a 4.3 forty, tells us why he picked Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin definitely improved his team’s roster today as the Rebels picked up a pair of commitments that will add talent and depth. First came LSU transfer quarterback Walker Howard’s announcement this morning, followed by Jackson Jones’ this afternoon.
While you might not know Jackson Jones yet, one thing you for sure need to know about the transfer from Stony Brook is that he runs a lightning fast 4.3 40-yard dash.
Proving my 4.3 40 dash speed to my team for my freshman skit. @StonyBrookFB @SamNeidermann @Jeff__Bernstein @CAAFootball @NCAA_FCS #SCTop10 #D1 #40yarddash pic.twitter.com/NU3JFeAKFn
— Jackson Jones (@jacksonjones716) August 10, 2022
It’s easy to see why the 6-foot New Yorker caught the eyes of Coach Kiffin and staff, and it didn’t take long after the Rebs extended an offer for Jones to commit.
The Rebel Walk spoke with Jackson after his announcement and asked what made him decide to choose the Rebels.
“Choosing Ole Miss was a no-brainer. The program made me feel like home (which is hard to find in a large SEC team). I love how Lane Kiffin is shaking things up, and it’s obvious this is going to be a big-time next couple of seasons.“
Jackson Jones on why he chose Ole Miss
He arrives in Oxford with four years of eligibility remaining.
Excited to announce my commitment to play for @OleMissFB The Lord has been beyond good✝️ Thank you @NYSEandeasy @Lane_Kiffin and everyone who helped me get here! @On3sports @CFBHome @SSN_Portal @farrellportal @_redshirtsports pic.twitter.com/IdZOShcD7t
— Jackson Jones (@jacksonjones716) January 18, 2023
Jones will be a preferred walk-on for the Rebels this coming season. Although he has been a defensive back at Stony Brook, with his blazing speed he could also see time as a kick and punt returner or possibly a wide receiver for Ole Miss.
Wherever he ends up on the field, Jones is happy to be a Rebel.
“I am just grateful to be a part of helping this defense become a major threat. With my speed and hands, I want to make quarterbacks afraid to throw the ball.“
Jackson Jones
Here’s some footage of Jones and what the Rebels are adding.
Corner press coverage work in today. Worked on double moves and protecting the post. pic.twitter.com/y67sCjmu57
— Jackson Jones (@jacksonjones716) January 4, 2023
More routes with 1v1s, dms open pic.twitter.com/8EEwiww4x6
— Jackson Jones (@jacksonjones716) January 6, 2023
From Suffolk County to the ‘Sip, we welcome Jackson Jones!
Lee Ann serves as the Director of Recruiting for The Rebel Walk. She sees college football the way championship programs do—from inside the personnel room. Every evaluation, every roster move, every recruiting battle tells a bigger story about identity, culture, and how a program is built to win in December, not just July.
With more than 15 years covering the SEC and the national recruiting landscape, Herring-Olvedo has built a reputation as one of the sport’s most respected personnel-driven voices—blending film evaluation, roster construction, and long-term program vision through a true front-office lens. Her coverage of powerhouse brands like Ole Miss Rebels and Kentucky Wildcatshas consistently gone beyond headlines, focusing instead on the blueprint behind winning programs: development, fit, culture, and recruiting strategy.
That foundation was formed early at Brown University, where she worked in player personnel and recruiting while competing as a student-athlete. Inside those recruiting operations rooms, she learned how elite organizations are truly built—through relentless evaluation, relationship building, projection, and trust in the board. Those experiences shaped the way she studies the game today: part scout, part storyteller, part architect.
Her analysis and reporting have appeared across major platforms including ESPN, NFL coverage spaces, USA Today Sports, and Saturday Down South. She also brought her personnel-minded approach to the airwaves as an on-air analyst for the Wake Up 502 College Football Show on Big X Sports Radio 96.1, where she became known for combining film-room detail with a wider understanding of roster identity and program trajectory.
In 2025, covering the rise of Houston Cougars football under Willie Fritz reignited the part of the sport that first drew her into football—the culture, the edge, the belief that a roster can reshape an entire city. That inspiration led to the launch of Coogs 365 Sports, a platform built to cover Houston athletics through a true scouting and recruiting lens while connecting the emotion of the game to the heartbeat of H-Town.
Now, Herring-Olvedo returns to The Rebel Walk where with an even deeper perspective shaped by years inside recruiting circles, national SEC coverage, and hands-on evaluation experience. Her return brings a familiar voice back to Ole Miss coverage—but with an evolved lens rooted in roster architecture, player development, and the modern realities of building championship-caliber football in the NIL and portal era.
For Herring-Olvedo, recruiting has never been about stars beside a name. It is about identifying competitors, projecting growth, and building a locker room capable of sustaining success. Her philosophy mirrors the best front offices in football: stack traits, trust culture, and never stop building.



