Ole Miss Four-Star Signees Shekai Mills-Knight, Winston Watkins Jr. Shine in Day 1 at Navy All-American Bowl

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — One hundred of the nation’s top playmakers have made their way to the Alamo City this week to prepare for this year’s Navy All-American Bowl — including two future four-star Ole Miss players, running back Shekai Mills-Knight and wide receiver Winston Watkins, Jr.

Practices began this morning with the West team working out in the colder weather, practicing outdoors at Trinity University, while the East team practiced in the Alamodome. They’ll reverse that on Wednesday.

As expected, this year’s rosters are filled with plenty of blue-chip talent. But unique to this year, the rosters now include not only outgoing seniors, but also rising seniors who will now have the opportunity to showcase their talents. It offers a great opportunity to evaluate not just the 2025 class, but the 2026 class as well.

Mills-Knight and Watkins Jr. will culminate their high school careers amidst the nation’s top prospects. Both are suiting up for the East team this week.

Shekai Mills-Knight

Mills-Knight was a force at The Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn. all season long and heads into the Navy All American Bowl as the highest-graded 2025 running back on the roster. The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder stands as the No. 7 running back in the 2025 class and the No. 2 overall player in Tennessee.

A Quebec, Canada native, Mills-Knight transferred to The Baylor school where he helped lead his team in 2024 to the Division II Class AAA championship where he and was a three-time league MVP.

In day one of the Navy All-American bowl prep, Mills-Knight did not disappoint. Ole Miss fans should get excited because he is a physical back who really can do it all. He will be heading into Oxford with the ability to make an immediate impact in a strong running back room.

Here is a look at Mills-Knight on day one from San Antonio.

Ole Miss RB signee Shekai Mills-Knight (No. 25) working on the read-out seam route in San Antonio at the @AABonNBC. #ComeToTheSip @sk_begreat
(📽️: @LeeAnnHerringRW) pic.twitter.com/GmTyyuoGmn

— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) January 7, 2025

Ole Miss 4-star running back signee Shekai Mills-Knight talks after practice Tuesday at the @AABonNBC.

He tells our @LeeAnnHerringRW what he’s looking forward to in the All-American game as well as what he will bring to the RB room at Ole Miss. #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/yuHBUNrItl

— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) January 7, 2025

Winston “Winnie” Watkins

Mills-Knight was joined by Winston “Winnie” Watkins, a 4-star wide receiver and future teammate at Ole Miss. Watkins, out of Venice High School in Florida is ranked as the No. 32 wide receiver and the No. 36 athlete to come out of Florida in the 2025 recruiting cycle.

Watkins will be a strong addition to the Rebels’ wide receiver room. In addition to making the Navy All-American Bowl team, the 5-foot-11, 175-pounder has also been named to the Max Preps National All-American team, selected for the Second Team as a wide receiver.

Watkins closed his senior campaign with a bang. At Venice this fall, he played multiple positions and ultimately helped lead his team to a Florida 7A state title. He notched 94 receptions for 1,151 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also tallied 22 carries for 110 yards and eight more TDs as a running back. The versatile Watkins even lined up on defense, where he recorded 24 tackles with 2 interceptions.

Watkins also saw a ton of reps in day one of practice today, showcasing his swiftness, great hands and ball control. He has big playmaking ability whenever he is the target.

Here’s Winnie Watkins at the @AABonNBC in San Antonio showing off those great hands. @winstonwatkins_
(📽️: @LeeAnnHerringRW, Rebel Walk) pic.twitter.com/Vn02Z8DenJ

— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) January 7, 2025

Ole Miss 4-star WR signee @winstonwatkins_ getting in reps for the @AABonNBC East team at the Dome! pic.twitter.com/0IX5YEahMS

— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) January 7, 2025

The Rebels are well-represented here in the Alamo City with two of their future electric playmakers turning heads. We look forward to Day 2 with Shekai and Winnie.

Stay tuned to The Rebel Walk for all the latest from the Navy All-American Bowl.

Ole Miss signee and 4-star RB Shekai
Mills-Knight at the dome in San Antonio for @AABonNBC. We will have more with Mills-Knight! pic.twitter.com/JSD0oU8hSC

— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) January 7, 2025