Ole Miss lands 2026 WR Powell as SEC dominates California recruiting

By Chris Marler

Ole Miss landed a commitment from 2026 WR Jameson Powell on Wednesday afternoon. Jameson is a four-star recruit, according to Rivals, and is ranked as the No. 44 player in California.

While Powell may not necessarily be considered a blue chip recruit, he is part of a growing trend in recruiting. More and more players from the Golden State are playing collegiate ball in the SEC. 

The last two recruiting cycles suggest the same. In both the 2024 and 2025 recruiting classes, six of the top ten players in the state committed to SEC schools. Dating back to 2023, the top player in the state for three straight years has committed to play at an SEC school.

Alabama has landed three players from California in each of the last two classes, which includes five of the top six. Texas A&M has also had great success in the state, lately. Last year the Aggies signed three of the state’s top ten players. That was after their fourth commit, Husan Longstreet, changed his commitment to Southern Cal. 

That is another trend that has become more and more evident with each recruiting class–not a lot of in-state talent is staying in-state anymore. In the 2025 cycle, only five of California’s top 25 recruits signed with in-state schools, with USC landing three and UCLA two. The SEC secured nine of the top 25 recruits, spread across four different schools.