Four-star 2025 linebacker Elijah Barnes talks about his offer from Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss continues to make strong moves on the recruiting trail, going after some of the nation’s top talent to bring them to the ‘Sip. The Lone Star state is definitely on Ole Miss’ radar as Rebs prepare to take on Texas A&M this Saturday — and as they look to Texas to find their next prospect.
Defensive coordinator Pete Golding continues to do fantastic work with the Ole Miss defense. Golding and staff have officially thrown their hat in the ring for four-star linebacker Elijah Barnes out of Dallas Skyline, offering him on October 30.
“It means a lot to get an offer from a big-time program,” Barnes told The Rebel Walk about his offer from Ole Miss. “It’s another blessing, another opportunity to showcase my talent on the big stage of college football.”
The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder stands as No. 10 linebacker and No. 12 overall athlete in the talent-rich state of Texas. He’s the No.82 overall athlete in the nation in the class of 2025.
Skyline 2025 LB Elijah Barnes@ElijahBobarnes1 is fun to watch. 2 things I’ve learned about him since the spring is… he can move & he like to hit!
Not many people know about him but he’s a NAME TO KNOW 🚨🚨@SKYLINEfb @JColemanFB @WeDemBos pic.twitter.com/NcVF9s9Kbs
— Juwan Davis (@MrJDavis96) August 13, 2022
We asked Barnes what stood out the most to him about Ole Miss.
“The program in general — the fan base is amazing, the coaches are great, I mean you are surrounded by great people. It doesn’t get any better than Ole Miss.”
2025 LB Elijah Barnes on Ole Miss
Barnes, one of the nation’s most-coveted recruits, owns over 30 offers to date in addition to that from Ole Miss, including: Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas State, Auburn, Baylor, Colorado, Florida, Grambling, Kansas, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Purdue, SMU, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, A&M, TSU, Texas Tech, USC and UTSA.
“I mean, all schools are coming at me pretty hard. I’m just taking it slow and going on visits and seeing new things, trying to figure out where I’m going to go,” Barnes said of navigating all his offers.
The 2022 Texas District 11-6A Defensive Newcomer of the Year and track and field standout is nothing short of explosive when he is wreaking havoc against any offense he faces.
Thank you @NextLevelD1 for giving me a opportunity to showcase my talent👍🏽 pic.twitter.com/klhDGyjLWc
— Elijah Bo barnes (@ElijahBobarnes1) January 16, 2023
Barnes’ physicality, intensity, and speed, matched with his internal radar, are obvious when you see how quickly he reads and reacts to his opponent. He is versatile, having played both Mike and outside linebacker.
“My x-factor skill is that wherever you put me, I’m going to ball, regardless. I love the game. I love what the game provides and I’m just going to go out there and play hard and showcase my talent,” he said.
385 it’s to light😴@JColemanFB @SKYLINEfb @PeterJinkens @Coach_QuestHuff pic.twitter.com/rJqaxRbqAG
— Elijah Bo barnes (@ElijahBobarnes1) February 7, 2023
His strong football IQ is aided by his experience as a running back, and it’s clear why the Rebels are so intent on getting Barnes to Oxford for a visit.
“Most definitely I will try to get up there — sooner rather than later — to see what the Ole Miss Rebels have in store for me.”
Elijah Barnes on visiting Oxford
We will keep you updated on the recruitment of this elite-level player as his journey continues.
Hotty Toddy!
Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo
Herring-Olvedo 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.
