Elite Linebacker Anthony Davis Joins 2026 Ole Miss Class in Huge Recruiting Win
OXFORD, Miss. — It’s that time of year again in the Velvet Ditch—football fever is upon us. With the first week of fall camp wrapped up, the Rebels are ready to kick off August with a bang. And what a way to do it — Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding have struck gold on the recruiting trail, securing a major commitment from elite linebacker Anthony “Ant” Davis for the 2026 class.
Davis has been on the Rebels’ radar since day one, and despite receiving over 51 offers, Ole Miss never wavered in their pursuit. The hard work has finally paid off, as the 6-foot-2, 210-pound enforcer out of Grayson High School in Georgia announced his commitment on Saturday.
Not only did Ole Miss fend off fierce competition from powerhouse programs like Alabama, Michigan, and Auburn, but they also landed the No. 20 overall linebacker in the nation.
Last season, the Under Armour All-American put on quite a show, racking up impressive stats over 13 games: 105 tackles, 15 tackles for loss (TFLs), one interception (INT), three sacks, 12 quarterback hurries, and five pass breakups (PBUs). His performance was instrumental in leading Grayson to a stellar 14-1 record and a thrilling run to the state championship, averaging an astounding ten tackles per game.
Clips from the All- American Game @SWiltfong_ @TomLoy247 @CraigHaubert @DemetricDWarren @adamgorney @JohnGarcia_Jr @Andrew_Ivins @CoachNickPopiel @CoachCarswell @CoachSB_4theG pic.twitter.com/I6SFpmt9WI
— Anthony “Ant” Davis Jr (@AnthonyDavis077) January 4, 2025
As he gears up for his senior season, Davis is poised to leave his mark at Grayson. He kicks off his final chapter on August 15th with an away game against Collins Hill. Rebel fans can expect big things as this rising star takes the field! Now let’s delve into what Ole Miss can expect from the talented linebacker in the future.
1 more💍 @grayson_fb @adamgorney @JohnGarcia_Jr @SWiltfong_ @Andrew_Ivins @TomLoy247 @LemmingReport @DemetricDWarren @CharlesPower @ChadSimmons_ @CoachNickPopiel @CoachCarswell @CoachSB_4theG pic.twitter.com/WgIDfoteZo
— Anthony “Ant” Davis Jr (@AnthonyDavis077) December 15, 2024
Anthony Davis commands attention no matter when he hits the field. With an explosive blend of speed, versatility, and tenacity on the field. What sets him apart is not just his athletic prowess, it’s his extraordinary ability to make game-changing plays.
A Lightning Bolt on the Field
Davis isn’t just fast; he’s a human highlight reel. Imagine a player who can sprint from one sideline to the other in the blink of an eye, seemingly shutting down plays before they even begin. His explosive speed allows him to cover ground like few others, making him an essential asset for any defensive strategy.
Quick Reflexes: Davis possesses lightning-fast reflexes that enable him to read plays almost instinctively. Whether it’s a running back trying to break through the line or a quarterback looking for an opening, he anticipates movements with uncanny precision.
Coverage Skills: What sets him apart from traditional linebackers is his exceptional ability to drop back into coverage. He can seamlessly transition from defending against runs to shadowing receivers, ensuring that no one escapes his watchful eye.
First pick of the season ! @adamgorney @RivalsFriedman @SWiltfong_ @ChadSimmons_ @Andrew_Ivins @JohnGarcia_Jr @CoachNickPopiel @CoachSB_4theG @CoachGCarswell pic.twitter.com/5NlrB8HKfB
— Anthony “Ant” Davis Jr (@AnthonyDavis077) August 9, 2024
Versatility: The Key to His Game
In today’s fast-paced SEC football, versatility is more than just an advantage—it’s a necessity. Davis embodies this quality, making him adaptable in various defensive schemes. He can line up inside or outside and still deliver elite-level performance.
Rushing and Blitzing: With a knack for rushing the ball and blitzing at precisely the right moment, Davis creates pressure that disrupts opposing offenses. His well-timed blitzes often lead to sacks or hurried throws, turning potential scoring opportunities into defensive triumphs.
Tackling Prowess: Strong tackling skills are fundamental for any linebacker, but Davis takes it up a notch with his physical play. He doesn’t just tackle; he wraps up opponents securely while delivering impactful hits that resonate throughout the stadium.
The Game-Changer Mentality
What truly elevates Davis above others is his game-changing mentality. Each time he steps onto the field, you can feel the energy shift; he knows how to turn momentum in favor of his team.
Whether it’s intercepting passes or forcing fumbles, Davis consistently finds ways to create turnovers when it matters most. His knack for being in the right place at the right time transforms ordinary plays into extraordinary moments.
Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo
Lee Ann serves as the Director of Recruiting for The Rebel Walk. She 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.
