Kentucky fans have reason to celebrate to start the Early Signing Period after the Wildcats won a big recruiting battle over Ole Miss to land a 4-star defensive tackle from Mississippi.

Josaih Hayes is listed at 6-foot-2 and 308 pounds and was reportedly down to Ole Miss and UK even though his finalists also included Mississippi State, Auburn and Memphis. He’s ranked the No. 21 defensive tackle in the country in this class, by 247Sports. The Horn Lake, Mississippi native was also rated the No. 3 player in the state.

Rivals noted that Hayes is the highest-ranked Deep South prospect to ever sign with UK, and former Rebel assistant Jon Sumrall wins one against Lane Kiffin. Hayes is the third-highest recruit in a class of 19 prospects, according to 247Sports. Hayes committed to Ole Miss in June, but decommitted about two months ago.

He participated in the annual Mississippi Alabama Football Classic in 2019. Hayes was named first team All-State by MaxPreps and Class 6A All-State by the MAC in 2019.

Here are his highlights from Hudl: