The Ole Miss Rebels have established themselves as a prominent program in the Southeastern Conference in recent years. Under the leadership of head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, the Rebels have enjoyed four straight winning seasons, with progress evident in each year of her tenure. This past weekend, Ole Miss made a significant stride on the recruiting front by securing a key commitment from Lauren Jacobs, edging out South Carolina for her services, according to Talia Goodman of On3 Sports.
A native of South Carolina, Jacobs had received an offer from the reigning NCAA champions but opted to commit to Ole Miss instead. She also held offers from several elite Division 1 programs, including Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Penn State, Marquette, Mississippi State, and yet again, Penn State.
Jacobs revealed to On3 that a crucial factor in her decision to choose Ole Miss was the early outreach she received during her recruitment journey.
“Coach Yo [Yolett McPhee-McCuin] was the first Power 5 program to offer me,” Jacobs stated. “I have been building my relationship with her ever since then – for over two years. The vision she has for her program and what she has accomplished at Ole Miss really resonated with me. On my official visit, meeting everyone at Ole Miss – they are just wonderful people there.”
Jacobs is recognized as a skilled point guard in the 2025 class, adeptly balancing playmaking with scoring.
Ole Miss aims for continued progression
The Rebels faced a significant setback last season when Marquesha Davis declared for the WNBA Draft. Davis was chosen by the New York Liberty as the 11th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and has already competed in 16 games for the Liberty as a rookie.
Nevertheless, Ole Miss is poised to remain a formidable force in the SEC for the upcoming season. McPhee-McCuin successfully utilized the transfer portal to enhance the team’s roster.
The Rebels welcomed three impressive players to their lineup: former UCLA center Christeen Iwuala, former UT Arlington forward Starr Jacobs, and former Colorado guard Tameiya Sadler. Ole Miss initially secured a commitment from former Michigan State guard DeeDee Hagemann, but she has since retracted her commitment and decided to join Memphis.
Returning players Kennedy Todd-Williams and Madison Scott will also contribute significantly to the team’s success. The Rebels are looking to build on last season’s performance, which ended with a second-round exit in the NCAA Tournament after reaching the Sweet 16 in 2023.
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