Decision Day: Rebels in the Hunt for 2026 4-Star OL Edward Baker
OXFORD, Miss. — Edward Baker, a standout 2026 interior offensive lineman from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, is set to announce his commitment later today. Although Ole Miss entered the race late, the Rebels have made a significant impact on this impressive 6-foot-5, 335-pound prospect during his final official visits.
Currently ranked as the No. 50 IOL in the 2026 class and the No. 18 overall athlete in Maryland, Baker has caught the attention of several powerhouse programs.
The Rebels face competition from Tennessee, Arkansas, NC State, and UVA as they vie for Baker’s commitment.
The Breakdown
Baker excels in both run and pass-blocking situations—a skill set that promises to sharpen as he approaches his senior year. Watching him play reveals a talent who often anticipates plays before they unfold; his keen instincts and high football IQ enable him to react with speed and effectiveness.
With flashes of agility and quickness, Baker can expertly kick out defenders at the edge while seamlessly changing direction laterally. His explosive hips give him an advantage when engaging opponents—creating movement inside while maintaining balance during blocks.
After wrapping up his final visit to Oxford ahead of his decision, we caught up with him to gauge where the Rebels stand in this competitive landscape. “Being around the players and team was incredible,” he explained about what stood out to him.
Ole Miss Closing the Gap for Elite 2026 IOL Edward Baker as Decision Nears. @LeeAnnHerringRW has more on @3edwardbaker ⤵️ https://t.co/K1sLb19tGR
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) June 21, 2025
When discussing how he felt about the coaching staff’s approach during his visit, he noted their serious commitment to his development, something that is important to Baker.
“They showed me my flaws and how I can improve.”
Edward Baker on Ole Miss
So where do things stand for the Rebels?
“They are in a good spot competing with another powerhouse program.”
Edward Baker on Ole Miss
Each program vying for Baker has laid out a vision for how they see him contributing in the future; for the Rebels specifically, Coach Kiffin envisions him as a potential starting right tackle or guard.
Today could be monumental for one program looking to strike gold in the trenches. Will it be the Rebels? They have certainly made a strong impression in such a short time! Stay tuned as we await news on where this talented lineman will land later today. 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.
