College Football Playoff Contender Loses Top Wide Receiver To Ineligibility

The Ole Miss Rebels seemingly struck gold this offseason when they landed the No. 1 JUCO prospect in the nation in 6-foot-4, 190-pound wide receiver Deion Smith.

But, unfortunately for Lane Kiffin and company, Smith ultimately will not play for Ole Miss this season.

“Today, I was told that he will not be part of our program,” Kiffin said on Wednesday. “So, seems to be the case. Wish him the best of luck, wish it would have worked out. That’s all I got.”

According to 247Sports , Smith's course work at Mid-America Christian University has been denied by the school's compliance department.

Smith, who began his career at LSU in 2021, earned JUCO All-American honors for Holmes (Mississippi) Community College last season. He caught 48 passes for 1,063 yards and 12 touchdowns and later committed to the Rebels over Mississippi State, Auburn and others.

Even without Smith, Ole Miss is loaded at wideout. Tre Harris headlines the group that also includes Jordan Watkins and South Carolina transfer Juice Wells. Jaxson Dart, the SEC's second-leading returning passer, will still have the weapons needed to compete for a College Football Playoff spot.

The Rebels will open the season at home against Furman on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+).

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