Ole Miss started recruiting Lakeland (Fla.) four-star safety Keon Young a little later than other programs.
The Rebels entered the mix about three months ago and quickly moved up his list of schools. In April, he named them in his top three schools along Kentucky and South Florida after receiving more than 30 other reported offers.
Over the weekend, he took his official visit to Oxford and he came away committed.
“I committed is because it’s in the SEC; I want to play against the best every day and on Saturdays,” he told On3. “I feel Coach Pete [Golding], Coach Brown and Coach Neighbors will put me in the best position to go to the NFL. I can see myself being around all these loving people and having fun for the next three to four years.”
Young has quickly taken to the Rebels’ coaching staff, who made him feel like a top priority in their 2025 class.
“The thing that put Ole Miss in the mix was they will always be a great program under Coach Kiffin, and I trust my DB coaches will put me in the best position and prepare me for the next level,” he added. “They’ve recruited me very hard over these few months, and it made me feel important to them.”
Coaching staff, development played key factors for Young
His connection to Neighbors, who is in his second season with the Rebels, ultimately won out. The two have a longstanding connection and have developed a relationship that was different than with any other program.
“I’m closer with Coach Brown and Coach Neighbors, and he’s randomly texting and checking on me like three or four times a week. We have great talks about how I’d play everywhere on the back end. On the OV, I got to see how things work around the program and where I’d be playing for the team.
… I feel Coach Pete [Golding], Coach Brown and Coach Neighbors will put me in the best position to go to the NFL. I can see myself being around all these loving people and having fun for the next three to four years.”
The 6-foot, 171-pounder is the No. 244 overall prospect in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the nation’s No. 23 safety and the No. 36 recruit in the Sunshine State.
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