Ole Miss Football Lands Official Visit From Prized Alabama Crimson Tide Commit

In the ever-dramatic world of college football recruiting, where commitment often signals the beginning of a journey rather than the end, the latest twist involving Akylin Dear — a standout running back and Alabama commit — has turned heads across the Southeastern Conference. The Quitman (Miss.) High School star, who verbally committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide in August 2024, has now confirmed an official visit to Ole Miss, igniting speculation about a potential flip and its implications for two powerhouse programs.

This is not merely another routine recruiting story. It’s a narrative packed with history, rivalry, and strategic importance for both Alabama and Ole Miss, and possibly the SEC at large. At the center of it all is a young athlete who has captured national attention not just for his performance on the field, but also for the battle unfolding over his future.

Who is Akylin Dear?

Akylin Dear is no ordinary high school running back. Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 200 pounds, he possesses a rare blend of size, speed, and football IQ. In the 2023 high school season, Dear rushed for more than 2,000 yards and racked up 27 touchdowns, becoming one of the most dominant players in Mississippi and attracting the attention of nearly every major program in the country.

Dear’s performances have earned him a consensus four-star rating, with many recruiting analysts arguing he deserves to be considered a five-star talent. His ability to break tackles, make defenders miss in space, and contribute as a pass-catcher out of the backfield makes him one of the most versatile offensive weapons in the 2025 class.

The Alabama Commitment

Dear committed to Alabama in August 2024, citing a strong relationship with the Crimson Tide coaching staff, particularly running backs coach Robert Gillespie. The ties between Dear and Gillespie go beyond the football field. Both hail from Mississippi, and that shared heritage created a foundation of trust and familiarity.

“When Coach Gillespie and I talk, it’s more than football,” Dear told 247Sports in a post-commitment interview. “He understands where I’m from, what I’m about, and what I want to achieve. That means a lot.”

Alabama, which entered the 2025 recruiting cycle looking to reload its backfield after multiple NFL departures, viewed Dear as a cornerstone of its offensive future. His commitment helped solidify the Tide’s #1 ranking in national recruiting rankings for the class.

The Lane Kiffin Factor

Enter Lane Kiffin.

As the head coach of Ole Miss, Kiffin has built a reputation as one of the most creative and aggressive recruiters in college football. He’s not afraid to go head-to-head with national giants like Alabama or Georgia, and he’s made flipping committed players an art form. Kiffin’s pitch to Mississippi prospects has always been simple: stay home, be a star, and help elevate Ole Miss to SEC prominence.

In the case of Akylin Dear, that message has found an audience. While Dear has remained publicly respectful of his Alabama commitment, sources close to his recruitment have said that Ole Miss has never stopped pushing. And now, with Dear scheduled to visit Oxford officially, the Rebels may be closer than ever to a major recruiting coup.

Why the Visit Matters

Official visits are more than just campus tours. They are immersive weekends where schools roll out the red carpet, showcasing facilities, academics, game-day environments, and player culture. For many recruits, official visits provide the most unfiltered look at what life will be like at a given program.

For Akylin Dear, the visit to Oxford carries additional significance. It offers a chance to envision a collegiate career just a short drive from home, playing in front of family and friends, and potentially leading a program where he could be the face of the offense from day one.

Moreover, the timing of this visit — in June, before many summer recruiting events — gives Ole Miss a strategic edge. If Dear is swayed by the experience, it could shift the entire trajectory of his recruitment before the high-pressure fall period begins.

The State Battle: Alabama vs. Ole Miss

Recruiting battles between Alabama and Ole Miss are not new, but few are as direct and high-stakes as this one. Alabama has long recruited the state of Mississippi effectively, but Kiffin’s tenure has seen the Rebels reassert their dominance within the state borders.

Flipping Akylin Dear would not only be a symbolic victory for Ole Miss but a practical one as well. It would send a message to other elite in-state prospects that staying home and playing for the Rebels is a legitimate path to national success.

For Alabama, losing Dear would be a blow — not just to its running back depth chart but to its aura of invincibility on the recruiting trail. The Tide have rarely lost players once committed, especially to programs viewed as “non-blue bloods” by national media. Dear flipping would be a rare and significant exception.

What’s Next in Dear’s Recruitment?

As of early June 2025, Akylin Dear remains verbally committed to Alabama. He has not publicly decommitted, and Alabama continues to recruit him as a key piece of their future plans.

However, the Ole Miss visit opens the door for a potential change of heart. It’s unclear whether Dear will take additional visits — to programs like Mississippi State, LSU, or even Georgia — but his openness to seeing Oxford suggests a broader reassessment may be underway.

Recruits often wait until the December early signing period to finalize their decisions, and with six months left, there’s plenty of time for movement. Alabama will likely respond with its own push — perhaps bringing Dear back for a late summer visit to Tuscaloosa or ensuring he attends a game-day visit in the fall.

Analysis: What Would a Flip Mean?

If Akylin Dear were to flip his commitment from Alabama to Ole Miss, it would have wide-ranging implications.

For Ole Miss:

• Talent Acquisition: Dear would be one of the highest-rated running back recruits in modern Ole Miss history.
• Recruiting Momentum: Landing Dear could trigger a domino effect with other elite players, particularly in Mississippi and the Southeast.
• Publicity: National attention would elevate the Rebels’ profile heading into the season and early signing period.

For Alabama:

• Depth Chart Impact: Alabama has a stacked running back room, but losing Dear would force the staff to pivot to backup options or accelerate the development of younger players.
• Recruiting Narrative: The media and rivals would seize on the rare flip as a sign that Alabama’s iron grip on top talent may be loosening — whether or not that’s true.

For the SEC:

• Increased Parity: If teams like Ole Miss can compete with Alabama on the recruiting trail, the balance of power in the SEC West could shift.
• Rivalry Intensification: Alabama vs. Ole Miss would take on added intensity, especially if Dear becomes a central figure in future matchups.

Player Perspective: What Should Dear Consider?

For Akylin Dear, the decision is about more than football. It’s about fit — culturally, academically, socially, and athletically. He must consider:

• Coaching Stability: Will the coaches recruiting him still be there in two years?
• Playing Time: Where will he have the clearest path to early playing time?
• NFL Development: Which program has the best track record of producing pro-caliber backs?
• Support Systems: How close does he want to be to home?

Both Alabama and Ole Miss offer compelling answers to these questions. Alabama has a proven NFL pipeline and national stage. Ole Miss offers proximity, potential stardom, and a high-octane offense built around skill talent.

As Akylin Dear weighs his options, one thing is clear: this story is far from over. Whether he ultimately stays with Alabama or flips to Ole Miss — or considers other programs entirely — his recruitment will be one of the most closely watched of the 2025 cycle.

In the chess game of college football recruiting, every move matters. For now, Ole Miss has earned a seat at the table, and that alone is a significant step forward. The next few months will determine whether that seat turns into something more — a new home for one of the South’s brightest stars.