“'Lane Kiffin is all about winning': 4-star Cortez Thomas opens up about reasons behind commitment to Ole Miss

In a competitive in-state recruiting battle, Holmes County Central safety Cortez Thomas has chosen to commit to the Ole Miss Rebels. The 6-foot, 170-pound four-star recruit made his decision public on Wednesday, selecting Ole Miss over notable programs like Mississippi State, Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisville and Colorado.

Thomas, ranked as the No. 18 safety in the 2025 class by 247Sports, had initially leaned towards Mississippi State. However, a coaching change in Starkville, where Zach Arnett was dismissed after just 10 games, shifted the momentum in favor of Ole Miss.

Cortez Thomas cited Rebels coach Lane Kiffin's track record and winning mentality as pivotal in his decision.

"Lane Kiffin is all about winning. I’m pretty sure every athlete wants to play for a winning team,” Thomas told On3. “From what I’ve heard and seen so far, he’s a great person.”

Cortez Thomas appreciated the consistent performance and potential of the Ole Miss program, seeing a chance to contribute as an in-state athlete.

“Once I started getting on campus and they started reaching out to me more and talking ball with me, trying to get in the picture, and it worked out for them,” Thomas explained.

He praised the coaching staff for their personalities and dedication to player care, adding:

“They take care of their players and that’s something that I look forward to.”

A crucial aspect of Thomas' commitment was his relationship with safeties coach Wes Neighbors III. Throughout the recruiting process, Neighbors detailed the Rebels' defensive strategy and Thomas' future role in it.

“Coach Neighbors, he won me over. Sitting down to talk football, understanding how I like to play and how I fit in their scheme and everything,” Thomas said.

Ultimately, the clear vision for his role and a winning culture made Ole Miss the ideal choice for Thomas.

"Ole Miss is more about business and I feel like that’s where I need to go,” he said.

Cortez Thomas finds home with Ole Miss Rebels

Cortez Thomas ranked No. 266 overall and the No. 25 safety in the 2025 cycle by the On3 Industry Ranking. Thomas is also the No. 11 player in Mississippi. Thomas visited Ole Miss multiple times, including a Junior Day visit and a trip for the Rebels' spring game.

He’s set to take his official visit during the upcoming season. The combination of proximity to home, the winning culture and the defensive scheme played significant roles in his decision.

"The opportunity, being close to home and being on a winning team. The scheme of the defense in the secondary. I think I’ll be very comfortable and learn very fast with how they coach the secondary. They just win,” Thomas said.

Cortez Thomas expressed confidence in the Rebels' ability to elevate his career, saying:

“They let me know they can get me to the next level where I can have a successful career.”

In his junior season, Cortez Thomas logged 45 tackles, with 34 being solo and grabbed two interceptions, according to his MaxPreps page. He becomes the 10th commitment for Ole Miss' 2025 class and the fourth from Mississippi.