Pete Golding, Ole Miss Add Dynamic In-State WR Case Thomas to 2026 Class

OXFORD, Miss. — Pete Golding’s early recruiting momentum continues, and the latest addition comes from right here in Mississippi. Madison-Ridgeland Academy standout Case Thomas has officially committed and signed with Ole Miss, giving the Rebels a productive, polished, and battle-tested wide receiver for the 2026 class.

After a great conversation with @drm_12, I am blessed to announce my commitment to the University of Mississippi! @CoachHerbertDa1 @ESPN3ALLDAY @CoachWeaverMRA @Coach_GAdams @CoachGolding @iamPatCarter @NathanPurvis pic.twitter.com/uOghDccniv

— Case Thomas (@case_thomas10) December 12, 2025

Thomas announced his commitment to the Rebels on December 12 after receiving an offer just five days earlier. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound wideout had previously been committed to Louisiana Tech, but when Ole Miss stepped in, the in-state playmaker didn’t hesitate to flip to the new era under Golding. He also held offers from Arkansas State, Kennesaw State, Akron, Dartmouth, Nicholls State, Jackson State, and others.

A three-star prospect, Thomas is far more than a ranking — he’s one of the most productive receivers in Mississippi high school football over the past three seasons. At MRA, Thomas put together a remarkable career:

• 188 receptions

• 3,480 receiving yards

• 36 touchdowns

• 1,215 yards and 9 touchdowns on 67 catches as a senior

He helped lead MRA to a 9–2 season and a trip to the MAIS 4A-DI semifinals in 2025. His consistency and reliability against top-tier competition made him one of the most respected receivers in the state.

Blessed to be invited as an All American to The Military Appreciation Bowl Dec 21 at the Star in Frisco, TX! @joeray36 @NathanPurvis @ESPN3ALLDAY @CoachHerbertDa1 @mrafootball pic.twitter.com/L0I3QQWbam

— Case Thomas (@case_thomas10) November 28, 2025

A Receiver Built for SEC Ball

Former Ole Miss wide receiver and current trainer Mike Espy gave Thomas one of the strongest scouting evaluations of any in-state prospect this cycle.

Espy describes Thomas as:

Mike Espy on Case Thomas

Thomas’ résumé includes standout performances against powerhouse programs, including an 8-catch, 194-yard, 2-touchdown game against Tennessee 7A power Collierville — a matchup that showed exactly how dangerous he can be on the perimeter or in the slot.

Golding’s WR Room Gets Even Deeper

Thomas becomes the third wide receiver in the Rebels’ 2026 class, joining five-star Jase Mathews (flipped from Auburn) and three-star Kervin Johnson Jr. (flipped from LSU after Lane Kiffin’s move).

All three Rebel receivers in this cycle flipped to Ole Miss — a strong indicator of the trust recruits are placing in Golding and his staff, and the renewed stability he stressed from day one.

With Thomas on board, Ole Miss now holds 19 commitments in the 2026 class and sits 10th in the SEC and No. 22 nationally in the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Why This Matters for Ole Miss

For Golding, winning in the state of Mississippi has been a priority since the moment he was elevated to head coach. Thomas checks every box:

• In-state talent

• Productive against elite competition

• SEC-ready frame and skill set

• High-character, high-effort player

• Versatile enough to win inside or outside

He’s exactly the type of player Golding referenced when he emphasized building a foundation through high school recruiting, especially within a five-hour radius.

What’s Next

Thomas arrives at Ole Miss as a polished route runner with proven production and SEC measurables. With the Rebels pushing toward their first College Football Playoff appearance in program history and building the roster for the future, the addition of Thomas is another statement about the type of players Golding wants in Oxford — tough, reliable, explosive, and committed.

Welcome to Oxford, Case. Hotty Toddy!