OXFORD, Miss. — According to Pete Nakos, former Auburn Tigers cornerback Jay Crawford has committed to Ole Miss out of the NCAA transfer portal. The move gives head coach Pete Golding an experienced SEC defensive back slated to join the Rebels’ roster in 2026. He is the Rebels’ first portal commit for 2026.
BREAKING: Auburn transfer CB Jay Crawford has committed to Ole Miss, @Hayesfawcett3 reports.https://t.co/nWhjfdONIb pic.twitter.com/fHAWjeeRvw
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) January 4, 2026
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Crawford arrives in Oxford after two seasons on the Plains, where he quickly carved out a role in Auburn’s secondary. Despite his youth, he was trusted early, starting 18 games across his first two collegiate seasons and frequently drawing assignments against top-tier SEC wideouts.
His breakout came during his true freshman campaign, when his performance earned conference-wide recognition, including SEC All-Freshman honors and national freshman All-America distinction. Auburn leaned heavily on Crawford’s instincts and ball skills, particularly in man coverage, and he responded with steady production in a demanding league.
Statistically, Crawford leaves Auburn with 30 career tackles, 11 pass breakups, and 13 passes defended, along with two interceptions split over the past two seasons. One of those picks came in a tightly contested matchup against Missouri in 2025, a game that ultimately went to overtime. While raw numbers only tell part of the story for defensive backs, Crawford’s impact consistently showed up in contested throws and disrupted timing on the perimeter.
From a recruiting standpoint, this is a significant portal win for Ole Miss. Crawford entered the cycle rated as a four-star transfer and one of the top overall defensive backs available, checking in as the No. 31 player nationally in the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings.
Among cornerbacks, only one player ranked higher.
Before his SEC career began, Crawford was a standout at Parkview High School in Lilburn, Georgia, where he emerged as a four-star prospect. He ranked inside the top 350 players nationally in the 2024 recruiting cycle, drawing attention from programs across the Power Five before ultimately signing with Auburn.
For Ole Miss, Crawford represents more than just depth. He brings proven SEC experience, early-career production, and upside that fits the Rebels’ long-term vision in the secondary. As Golding continues shaping the roster beyond the current postseason run, landing players with conference-tested résumés remains a clear priority—and Jay Crawford fits that mold perfectly.
