Four-Star 2025 Safety Keon Young Commits to Lane Kiffin, Pete Golding and the Rebels: ‘I picked them because of the coaching’

OXFORD, Miss. — Like they say…when you know, you know. Count Keon Young, one of the top safeties in 2025, in that category. The 4-star talent arrived on the Ole Miss campus just a couple of days ago for his official visit with head coach Lane Kiffin and the Rebs, and by Sunday, what Keon saw was enough for him to pledge to make Oxford his home.

1000% Committed🔴🔵🦈!! @OleMissFB @CoachGolding @wesnab4646 @Lane_Kiffin @ChadSimmons_ @Andrew_Ivins @adamgorney @polk_way @DylanOliver23 @LHSDreadnaughts @CoachAgostino pic.twitter.com/E4fDcADbq0

— Keon Young (@KeonYoung55) June 2, 2024

The 6-foot-1, 171-pound defensive powerhouse out of Lakeland (Florida) High School currently stands as the the No. 22 overall safety in the country for 2025 and the No. 28 overall athlete to come out of the Sunshine state.

The Rebels continue to be hot on the recruiting trail. 4 🌟Safety @KeonYoung55 out of Lakeland (FL) wrapped his official visit with a commitment to the Ole Miss. @TheRebelWalk caught up with Young ! pic.twitter.com/zMdAmXHCUS

— LeeAnn Herring (@MissKYUS2011) June 2, 2024

Young boasts quite the offer sheet, before committing to the Rebels, holding tickets from well over 35 top programs.

When it was said and done, however, Ole Miss edged out programs like Texas A&M, Florida, Auburn, Mizzou, Louisville, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan State, USC, Oregon, Oregon State, Oklahoma and Washington, to name a few.

Spring Football 2024 – #FLHSFB@LHSDreadnaughts 10
vs@JesuitTigers_FB 0
6:18 1Q

Lakeland DB No.1 Keon Young @KeonYoung55 with a nice TFL for the Naughts!@H2Athletes @FlaHSFootball @polk_way @DylanOliver23 @Andy_Villamarzo @SBLiveFL @theledger @RoyFuoco @DanLaForestFB pic.twitter.com/hdnP2ZzcMt

— Hasani (H2) | Football Recruiting (@H2_Recruiting) May 18, 2024

Young is another monster addition for defensive coordinator Pete Golding on his side of the ball, to say the least.

We caught up with Keon following his commitment and he shared why he ultimately chose Lane Kiffin, Pete Golding and the Rebels.

Keon Young on choosing Ole Miss

Young has been as productive as they come leading up to his commitment to the Rebels, making quite a splash on one of the nation’s top 7v7 teams, RAW.

4 of the Nations top 20 Safeties (2025) in action at Battle Miami with @raw7v7 @FegansAnquon @begreat_mari @Drakestubbs1 @KeonYoung55 pic.twitter.com/TrWn13SBsQ

— PolkWay (@polk_way) January 28, 2024

Whether you have caught this talented ball-hawk in person or watched his film, he is all business when it comes to making plays and stopping anything in his way.  What has always stood out to me are his consistency and his instincts. He is extremely gifted in being able to read a situation and instantly react with a viable way to make a play.

This past fall, Young was quite the impact player for Lakeland, who finished 12-3 and went on to capture the Florida 4S state title. On the season, Young notched 45 tackles (9 TFL), 12 PBU, and 6 INTs. He was selected to the All-County Selection Team by The Ledger.

PICK TO THE PARTMENTS!!!!!!
4 ⭐️ SAFETY @KeonYoung55 WITH ANOTHER INT AND THIS ONE IS GOES 95 YARDS!!!!

Lakeland 27
CAI 10
2nd Quarter 35 seconds @DylanOliver23 @H2_Recruiting @LHSNaughts @CAIKnightsFB @Andy_Villamarzo @JonSantucci @FlaHSFootball @football305407 @RealNews102 pic.twitter.com/WRi6Iwd9Cp

— PolkWay (@polk_way) October 21, 2023

Prior to his arrival at Lakeland, Young saw action at Auburndale. During his sophomore campaign there, he was credited with 41 tackles, 4 sacks 3 INT and 2 fumble recoveries.

The Rebels are off to heck of start in the opening weekend of camp season, wouldn’t you say? Welcome to the ‘Sip, Keon!

Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo

Lee Ann is the Director of Recruiting for The Rebel Walk. She is a veteran SEC sports journalist and NFL content writer. She is also the Sr. Editor for MESPORTS digital. Herring-Olvedo is a Brown University graduate who loves good cigars, good games, and a smooth glass of bourbon — not necessarily in that order.