They’re next. Colleges chase South Mississippi’s top 5 2026 high school football recruits
The 2025 recruiting cycle is coming to a close with the majority of athletes already signed through the early signing period in December.
It saw the likes of 5-star quarterback and George County product Deuce Knight head to Auburn and St. Stanislaus kicker Evan Noel sign with Florida. The Mississippi Coast is home to a constant churn of next-level talent, though, and several players are in line to take center stage on the recruiting trail out of the class of 2026.
We take a look at the top prospects from the Coast who are heading into their senior seasons.
DL Nolan Wilson, Picayune
247sports composite rank (MS): 5th
Wilson began his high school athletic career as a soccer player before migrating to football as a complete unknown. Following one season as a starting defensive end in 2024, Wilson is now one of the hottest recruits in the state.
Wilson is currently the No. 5-ranked player in Mississippi and a four-star prospect via 247sports composite. He just picked up his 20th offer from Vanderbilt and is holding offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Alabama, LSU and many others.
DB Tylan Wilson, Pascagoula
247sports composite rank (MS): 9th
The safety’s combination of athleticism, size and intelligence was evident before his junior season even began. Ole Miss was the first with an offer last March and since then many more have followed from Alabama, Miami, Florida State and others.
Wilson is the No. 9-ranked player in the state and a top-20 safety nationally.
ATH Sharroid Whitehead, Ocean Springs
247sports composite rank (MS): 19th
Whitehead was a camp star before ever getting any significant playing time at the varsity level due to an injury suffered ahead of his sophomore season. That didn’t stop the offers from piling in.
The 5-foot-9 multi-positional athlete got his first offer from Penn State and has since seen offers roll in from Georgia, Tennessee, Florida State and more. Southern Miss is the only in-state team to offer Whitehead so far.
OL Jayden Ross, Ocean Springs
247sports composite rank (MS): NR
A dominant junior season at tackle has officially put teams on notice. Ross received his first offer from Appalachian State earlier this month and picked up a second 10 days later from Mississippi State.
Ross is currently not yet ranked by recruiting services, but that is likely to change as his film begins to circulate coaches offices.
OL Dalton Toothman, Vancleave
247sports composite rank (MS): NR
Another unranked prospect, Toothman can expect to see several stars next to his name in the very near future.
Southern Miss, Tulane and Baylor were the first in the door last summer, but the floodgates are opening following his junior season at tackle. Both Ole Miss and Mississippi State offered Toothman on Jan. 8 and he’s since received offers from LSU and Florida. Toothman has the potential to be Vancleave’s first four star recruit.
Breakout candidates
- RB Amarie Jackson, Pascagoula
Jackson is an under-the-rader athlete who received his offer from Mississippi Valley State this past fall. He enjoyed a 1,000-yard season at running back as a junior and could see his touches increase next year.
- LB Jacolby Bailey, Ocean Springs
Bailey has been spotted by college coaches after a breakout junior campaign and picked up his first offer from Arkansas State in December.
- DL Jazear Carter, West Harrison
Carter has yet to pick up his first offer, but is coming out of monstrously productive season at defensive tackle where he dominated interior lineman with 24 tackles for loss. Carter was at multiple camps last summer and could draw more eyes this offseason with his latest tape.
- RB Solomon Baggett, Gautier
Baggett had one of the best rushing seasons in school history as a sophomore before missing the majority of his junior year with injury. That hasn’t stopped a few FCS schools from already offering him. Arkansas State became the first FBS program to offer Baggett in November and he’s been recruited by Louisiana, as well.
