LINCOLN CITY, Ind. — Jett Goldsberry had a list of factors that were high on his wish list.
Some were obvious like scheme and facilities. Others were specific to football. How was the program developing individuals for the next level? Every internal intuition pointed to the same school. One that puts Goldsberry at the highest stage of college football.
The three-star athlete committed to Ole Miss on July 7 during a ceremony at the Heritage Hills High School auditorium. Goldsberry chose the Rebels among six finalists that included Purdue, Rutgers, West Virginia, Wake Forest and North Carolina.
“Ole Miss was top notch,” Goldsberry said. “A great school. I love all the coaches. I really appreciate the opportunity.”
The rising senior at Heritage Hills had a gut feeling for Ole Miss as soon as his unofficial visit in April. He compared the small-town feel of Oxford, MS to that of Spencer County. It only strengthened after a return trip in June for his official visit.
A preseason contender for the 2025 Indiana Mr. Football award, Goldsberry has quickly become one of the top college prospects in Indiana. Rated a three-star recruit by both Rivals and 247Sports, he helped the Patriots win the Class 3A state championship last season. The 6-0 quarterback passed for 1,807 yards and 26 touchdowns while rushing for 1,676 yards and 28 scores.
“The biggest thing for us was getting developed,” Goldsberry said. “Try to get playing time early, but the main thing is getting playing time junior year. NFL doesn’t look at your film until junior year unless you’re an outstanding player. The SEC, you can’t get much better than that.”
Goldsberry plans to report to campus in January. The early enrollment will help with how the Rebels plan to utilize him.
The three-star athlete is projected to play defensive back at the Power Four level. Goldsberry had 58 tackles (five for loss), 2.5 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble as a junior. He said Ole Miss plans to develop him in coverage and also work on special teams early in his career. There’s also early talks of potential offensive looks.
Wherever he ends up in college, his overall athleticism makes him a natural fit on the field. That skill set is what caught the attention of several Power Four programs this spring – Goldsberry didn’t have a single Division I offer entering January. He’s now rated the No. 6 prospect in Indiana per the 247Sports composite.
“I think he’s an athlete,” Heritage Hills coach Todd Wilkerson. “He’s been having to play quarterback and manage everyting on the offensive side, and then go over to play defense — he still got recruited on defense. His upside at the college level, he’s only going to work on that side of the ball. He’s going to be good at whatever position.”
Heritage Hills is projected to be among the Class 4A favorites this fall. Among the reasons why is Goldsberry, who had 248 total offensive yards and three rushing touchdowns in a 38-15 victory over Fort Wayne Luers in the 3A championship at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Patriots went 14-1 last season and moved up due to the success factor.
Goldsberry has been among the best players in Southwestern Indiana since taking over as starting quarterback for the Patriots during his freshman season. He ranks third all-time in program history for career rushing, second in career passing yards and first in rushing touchdowns. His father, Jon, was a linebacker/fullback at Purdue for coach Joe Tiller and had a brief stint in the National Football League.
Next up is a final season at Heritage Hills with week one at home against South Spencer.
“(The process) was awesome in the beginning and a blessing,” Goldsberry said. “But then it started getting a lot. It was a hard decision. But we’re in the present right now and getting ready for football season. We’re locked in. Keep bonding and getting better. Proving something in 4A.”
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Heritage Hills athlete Jett Goldsberry commits to Ole Miss football
Reporting by Kyle Sokeland, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
