Why Ole Miss signee Craig Tutt never flipped despite Lane Kiffin departure

When it became official that coach Lane Kiffin was bolting from Ole Miss to join LSU just days before the early signing period, speculation turned to how it would affect the 2026 recruiting class.

Oakland senior star Craig Tutt never hesitated, however.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound safety, rated by 247Sports Composite as the No. 8 player in Tennessee and No. 24 nationally at his position, signed with Ole Miss on Dec. 3.

While many wondered if Tutt would reconsider his commitment after news of Kiffin's exodus started circulating, he said it was never something he considered.

"Honestly, (flipping to another school) wasn't an option for me," said Tutt, a Tennessee Titans 6A Mr. Football finalist for the second consecutive season. "The thought didn't even pop up in my mind. It really wasn't that much thinking for me.

"I'm obviously going to Ole Miss for defense. Coach (Pete) Golding took over the coaching job, which actually works out better for me anyway.

Tutt will lead top-ranked Oakland (14-0) into the TSSAA football Class 6A BlueCross Bowl vs. Ravenwood on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. CT at Chattanooga's Finley Stadium. The Patriots will try to win their second straight state title and fifth in six seasons.

MORE: Inside look at why all TSSAA football playoff roads lead to Oakland in Class 6A

Tutt was one of three Patriots to sign on the first day of the early period, joining WR/DB Joel Wyatt (Tennessee), a fellow four-star recruit, and defensive back Justis Haggard (MTSU).

Tutt made it clear that he signed with Ole Miss, not necessarily Kiffin. He also said he has had no communication with Kiffin since the decision to leave.

"I rarely communicated with (Kiffin) when he was at Ole Miss anyway," Tutt said.

While Kiffin brought several Ole Miss coaches with him to LSU, most of the defensive staff stayed intact.

Nickelbacks coach and special teams coordinator Jake Schoonover was the primary recruiter for Tutt, who also spoke frequently with co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Bryan Brown and safeties coach Wes Neighbors throughout the process. All three remain on the Ole Miss staff.

Tutt's final three schools included Tennessee and Auburn when he committed on July 18. He also had offers from SEC schools Alabama, Georgia, Texas A&M, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Missouri and Mississippi State, as well as power conference schools Michigan, Penn State, Colorado, Florida State and UCLA.

Tutt has 40 tackles (five for loss), three sacks, nine pass break-ups and a forced fumble for Oakland in 2025. He has rushed for 922 yards and 15 touchdowns, added 94 receiving yards and a TD and also three punt returns for touchdowns.

Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @Cecil_Joyce.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Ole Miss signee Craig Tutt didn't consider flipping after Lane Kiffin left