Lane Kiffin has always had a knack for the theatrical, but landing a kid named Nascar might be his most "on-brand" move yet. Seriously. If you were going to script a Hollywood version of a Southern football coach recruiting a speedster from Georgia, the kid would absolutely be named Nascar.
But here’s the thing: the Nascar McCoy Ole Miss commitment isn't just about a flashy name that fits perfectly on a jersey in Oxford. It’s a massive recruiting win for a program that is actively trying to prove it can go into the heart of Georgia and pluck elite talent away from Kirby Smart.
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Nassir "Nascar" McCoy, a standout safety from the legendary Buford High School, made it official last summer. He chose the Rebels over some of the biggest heavyweights in the sport, including Georgia, Michigan, and Miami. For a 2026 class that is starting to take shape, McCoy is the kind of versatile, high-ceiling defensive back that makes defensive coordinators like Pete Golding sleep a little better at night.
Why the Name Actually Fits the Game
The nickname isn't just a gimmick. People call him Nascar because the kid can absolutely fly. Standing about 6-foot-2 and weighing in around 180 pounds, McCoy has that long, lean frame that college scouts drool over. He isn't just a track kid playing football, though. At Buford—a school that produces NFL talent like a factory—you don't get on the field unless you’re willing to stick your nose in the fan.
McCoy is technically a safety, but if you watch his film, he plays more like a "eraser." He has that rare sideline-to-sideline range where he can be at the hash marks one second and breaking up a pass on the numbers the next.
- Speed: Clocked with a 4.51 in the 40-yard dash.
- Versatility: Can play deep safety, "star" nickel, or even slide outside to corner in a pinch.
- Pedigree: He’s coming out of Buford (GA), which is basically a college program disguised as a high school.
Ole Miss safeties coach Wes Neighbors was the lead on this one, and he clearly saw a kid who could thrive in the "Landshark" defense. The Rebels have been aggressive in the portal, sure, but building through high school guys like McCoy is how you sustain a top-10 program.
The Recruitment Battle: Oxford vs. Everyone
Honestly, for a while there, it looked like he might stay home. Georgia is always a threat for any kid in their backyard, especially one from Buford. And Michigan? They’ve had a pipeline into Georgia for years.
So, what tipped the scales?
According to McCoy, it was the vibe in Oxford. He’s gone on record saying that Oxford felt like a "small town like Buford" and that it reminded him of home. Lane Kiffin’s personality didn't hurt either. Apparently, the two of them even played pickleball during his visit. Can you imagine Kiffin trying to "dink" a shot over a 6-foot-2 safety? That’s the kind of recruiting that wins over 17-year-olds in 2026.
The "Other" McCoy: Don't Get Them Confused
If you’re an Ole Miss fan, you might be seeing the name McCoy a lot lately. It’s getting a little confusing.
The Rebels actually have a second McCoy in this mix—Iverson McCoy, a 4-star cornerback from Tupelo. He’s a local Mississippi kid who flipped from Mississippi State to the Rebels. While Nascar and Iverson share a last name and a position in the secondary, they aren't brothers. But having a "Nascar" and an "Iverson" in the same defensive backfield is basically a marketing department's dream.
What This Means for the 2026 Rebels
Landing the Nascar McCoy Ole Miss commitment early in the cycle (he committed in July 2025) was a statement. It showed that Ole Miss wasn't just a "Portal University" anymore. They are winning "hat on the table" battles against the biggest brands in the Big Ten and the SEC.
McCoy’s senior stats at Buford showed he's a ball-hawk. He finished his high school career with 64 total tackles and 4 interceptions, often being avoided by opposing quarterbacks because he just takes away half the field.
Basically, the Rebels are getting a player who:
- Doesn't panic when the ball is in the air.
- Has the frame to add 15 pounds of muscle without losing his top-end speed.
- Comes from a winning culture where anything less than a state title is a failure.
Your Next Moves for Following the Rebels
If you're trying to keep track of how the 2026 class is shaping up, keep an eye on the early signing period in December. While McCoy is a "hard commit," the recruiting world is wild until the ink is dry.
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Actionable Steps:
- Follow the 247Sports Composite: McCoy fluctuates between a 3-star and a 4-star depending on the service. Watch his ranking during his final high school season; a big senior year could see him vault into the top 250 nationally.
- Check the Buford High Schedule: If you want to see him in action before he hits Oxford, Buford games are often nationally televised or streamed on the NFHS Network.
- Watch the "Sip" Momentum: See if McCoy starts recruiting other Georgia players. Top recruits usually act as "peer recruiters," and McCoy’s influence in the Atlanta area is significant.
The Rebels have a fast one on the way. Literally.