Ole Miss Closing the Gap for Elite 2026 IOL Edward Baker as Decision Nears
OXFORD, Miss. — In the world of college football, two truths remain unwavering: 1) Success starts with a formidable offensive line, and 2) You can never have too many elite linemen on your roster—especially in the fiercely competitive SEC. As Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin and his team approach the final weekend of June’s official visit season, they are eager to seal crucial commitments, particularly from standout prospects like offensive lineman Edward Baker.
#ComeToTheSip 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/0S0tzM00IZ
— ᴇᴅᴡᴀʀᴅ”ʙɪɢ ꜱᴋɪʟʟꜱ”ʙᴀᴋᴇʀ’2026’ (@3edwardbaker) June 21, 2025
Though Ole Miss entered the recruitment race later than some, the Rebels have made impressive strides in catching up with Baker—a towering 6-foot-5, 315-pound interior offensive lineman ranked No. 50 overall in the 2026 class and No. 18 overall in the state of Maryland.
Earlier this month, Ole Miss extended an offer to Baker, who hails from St. Frances Academy in Maryland. With numerous schools vying for his commitment, could the Rebels emerge victorious? The answer is absolutely.
Baker recently revealed his final five schools: Ole Miss, Tennessee, Arkansas, UVA, and NC State. He emphasized that each school in his top five has demonstrated that he is a priority for their programs.
The Fit in the ‘Sip
6’5 330 versatile offensive linemen pic.twitter.com/cKCTxxqQyc
— ᴇᴅᴡᴀʀᴅ”ʙɪɢ ꜱᴋɪʟʟꜱ”ʙᴀᴋᴇʀ’2026’ (@3edwardbaker) April 8, 2024
Baker possesses a remarkable ability to excel in both run and pass-blocking scenarios—a skillset that will only sharpen as he heads into his senior year. Observing him on the field reveals a player who anticipates plays before they unfold; his strong instincts and football IQ allow him to react swiftly and effectively.
With flashes of impressive speed and agility, Baker can kick out defenders at the edge while also adeptly changing direction laterally. His quick and explosive hips give him an edge when leveraging against opponents—creating movement inside while maintaining balance during blocks.
Baker’s footwork is not just effective and adaptable, allowing him to fend off various defensive approaches with ease.
This hidden gem already showcases potential as an elite lineman at the next level when placed within the right scheme and nurtured through proper development.
This weekend presents a pivotal opportunity for Ole Miss to solidify its relationship with Baker as he travels from Maryland down south to SEC country—accompanied by his favorite summer jams like “YMCMB,” “Black Truck,” “Lil Weezy,” and “Yung Dizzy.”
What does he look forward to most during this visit?
“I want to experience everything I did previously—and hopefully even more—to learn about a program and town that I’m still discovering,” he shared enthusiastically.
Baker noted that despite joining the recruitment race later than others, the Rebels were trying their hardest to get him before securing their first OL commit—“They wanted me to be their first,” he said.
Baker is on the lookout for a future home that resonates with his values, and at the forefront of his mind is one key element: culture.
“To be honest, that means the most to me—more than anything else. I have teammates and friends at Ole Miss right now.”
Baker on culture
It’s clear that relationships are already shaping this talented lineman’s journey. As he navigates this pivotal moment, Baker is focused on soaking in every experience.
When asked about a timeline for his decision, he candidly shared his thoughts.
“Whenever the time is right. To be honest, it might just happen randomly; I don’t really have a date anymore.”
Baker on when he will commit
This openness highlights his genuine approach to finding the perfect fit. The Rebels are poised for an incredible opportunity as everything seems to be aligning perfectly in this recruitment process.
Stay tuned as we keep you updated on Baker’s visit throughout the weekend. 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.
