BREAKING: Just In, 3-star recruit announced his decommitment from Wisconsin to another rising SEC program

The Wisconsin Badgers suffered a recruiting setback this week as 3-star linebacker Jaylen Strickland announced his decommitment from the program and subsequent pledge to Ole Miss, a rising force in the SEC under head coach Lane Kiffin.

 

Strickland, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound defender out of Norcross, Georgia, had originally committed to Wisconsin in February, praising the coaching staff and the program’s defensive tradition. But following an official visit to Oxford last weekend, the versatile linebacker flipped his commitment, citing the Rebels’ recent success, SEC exposure, and his growing relationship with Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding.

 

“I have nothing but love for Wisconsin, but I’ve decided to follow my heart and commit to the University of Mississippi,” Strickland posted on social media. “The culture, the energy, and the opportunity to play in the SEC—it all just felt right.”

 

Wisconsin’s 2025 recruiting class, which was ranked in the top 30 nationally prior to Strickland’s departure, now takes a slight hit. While not a blue-chip prospect, Strickland was viewed as a high-upside piece for the Badgers’ defensive rebuild under head coach Luke Fickell.

 

Meanwhile, Ole Miss continues to build momentum on the trail. With Strickland’s commitment, the Rebels add another athletic piece to their linebacker room, which is a position of need heading into 2025. It marks the third time in the past month that Ole Miss has flipped a recruit from a Power Five school, further signaling the program’s increasing national relevant.

 

For Wisconsin, The loss underscores the challenges northern programs face in retaining southern talentespecially when SEC schools enter the picture late.

Lane Kiffin and staff are proving they can compete with traditional powers in recruiting battles, leveraging recent on-field success and a revamped NIL strategy.

The move puts him in position to play against the nation’s best offenses and potentially elevate his draft stock with strong SEC performances.

 

As recruiting heats up heading into the fall, both programs will be active in filling out their 2025 classes, but for now, the Rebels score a small but symbolic win over the Badgers.