‘Juice is Loose’: 4-Star RB DeZephen Walker Spurns Powerhouses, Commits to Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. – In a major recruiting coup that underscores the program’s national appeal, Ole Miss and head coach Lane Kiffin have landed their first running back commitment for the 2026 class, securing a pledge from dynamic 4-star prospect DeZephen Walker. The highly sought-after ball-carrier from Olentangy High School in Lewis Center, Ohio, announced his commitment to the Rebels on Monday, choosing Oxford over a formidable list of finalists that included Auburn, Missouri, and Texas Tech.
Walker’s decision provides a significant anchor for the Rebels’ burgeoning 2026 recruiting class and serves as a testament to the high-powered offensive identity Kiffin has cultivated. Rated as a top-15 running back nationally and a consensus top-200 player in his class by major recruiting services, Walker’s commitment was a hard-fought victory for the Ole Miss staff, who successfully lured the elite talent away from the heart of Big Ten country and out of the grasp of fellow SEC rivals.
The announcement was made via Walker’s social media channels, featuring a commitment video that highlighted his explosive on-field plays before culminating with him donning an Ole Miss cap. The caption simply read, “The Juice is Loose! Hotty Toddy… I’m home. #ComeToTheSip”.
“This was the toughest decision of my life, but my heart kept leading me back to Oxford,” Walker told a local Ohio sports network shortly after his announcement. “The energy around the program is electric. What Coach Kiffin is doing with the offense, the way they use their running backs in every phase of the game, and the passion of that fan base—it’s everything I was looking for. I believe in their vision and I’m ready to come in and compete.”
The 6-foot, 195-pound running back is the epitome of a modern, all-purpose threat. His highlight reel is a dizzying collection of sharp cuts, elite acceleration through the hole, and the top-end speed to turn any touch into a touchdown. As a junior at Olentangy, Walker was a one-man wrecking crew, accumulating nearly 2,000 all-purpose yards and 28 touchdowns. He exhibits the vision and patience to excel in a zone-running scheme and possesses the soft hands and route-running ability to be a dangerous weapon in the passing game—a critical trait in Kiffin’s offensive system.
His recruitment was a testament to his elite skill set. Auburn made a strong push, selling him on the chance to be a workhorse back in the rugged SEC West. Missouri, a program on a steep upward trajectory, pitched him on being the next great Tigers running back to take the conference by storm. Texas Tech envisioned him as a versatile chess piece in their high-octane passing attack.
Ultimately, the Rebels’ relentless pursuit, led by running backs coach Kevin Smith, and the undeniable appeal of playing in one of college football’s most exciting offenses proved to be the difference-maker. Ole Miss successfully sold Walker on the idea of being the next in a line of versatile, high-production backs who have thrived under Kiffin, from Snoop Conner to Quinshon Judkins.
“You look at what Ole Miss does with guys who have a similar skill set to me, and it’s impossible not to be excited,” Walker noted. “They don’t just run the ball; they create mismatches. They get their playmakers in space and let them work. That’s my game. I want to be a guy who can run for 150 and have 5 catches for 80 yards in the same game, and that’s the standard there.”
For Ole Miss, landing a commitment of this caliber from a key battleground state like Ohio is a significant statement. It demonstrates that the “Come to the Sip” movement is not just a regional slogan but a national recruiting force. Walker becomes the foundational offensive skill player in the 2026 class, a blue-chip talent that the staff can now build around. His commitment is expected to create a ripple effect, giving other top targets on the offensive side of the ball a dynamic playmaker to rally around.
“This is a massive win for Lane Kiffin and his staff,” said Andrew Bone, a national recruiting analyst. “To go into Ohio and pull a top-tier running back away from programs in the SEC and Big 12 footprint shows the power of the Ole Miss brand right now. Walker is a perfect fit for their system. He’s a home-run threat with the ball in his hands, and his commitment this early in the cycle gives them tremendous momentum to build one of the nation’s elite 2026 classes.”
While the celebration is in full swing in Oxford, the work is just beginning. Walker now becomes a peer recruiter, tasked with helping to lure other top talent to join him. For a fanbase that prides itself on offensive firepower and Saturday traditions unlike any other, the commitment of DeZephen Walker is a promise of more excitement to come. The juice, as he said, is loose, and it’s heading straight for The Grove.
