Coming over from Kapolei, Hawaii, Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling has made his way to the contiguous United States and turned into a top prospect for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
Between prior stints at Washington State and Oklahoma State, Stribling tallied 216 receptions, 2,964 yards, and 23 receiving touchdowns over his five seasons at the collegiate level.
Most notably, Stribling dominated in the Rebels’ two playoff games this past season. In their win over Georgia, he had seven catches for 122 receiving yards. He put together another strong performance against Miami in the semifinals, finishing with five catches for 77 yards.
PFSN spoke exclusively with Stribling about representing his home state, the importance of blocking as a wide receiver, his preparation for the 2026 NFL Draft, and much more.
Wrapping up your collegiate journey at Ole Miss, what was the biggest hurdle you faced this past season, and how did you overcome it?
De’Zhaun Stribling: “It was great. I went down to Ole Miss because I wanted to play at a high level. I wanted to play against very good competition down here in the SEC, so [it was great] getting here and having an opportunity to really be a featured guy in the offense. [I had to] adjust down here to the new offense, to how [former Rebels head coach] Lane Kiffin does everything.
“But it was overall a great experience, the ability to play in some big-time games and win a lot of games, also, it went a long way for me. I didn’t really win that much the other schools I was at, so being part of something so special down here really meant a lot to me.”
You mention the big games. Ole Miss had an incredible year, but you dealt with a coaching change down the stretch. How did you all overcome that adversity in those playoff matchups?
DS: “Yeah, I think for more of the younger guys, it had a big effect on them, because they’d never really been through something like that before. But me, being like an older guy and a leader on the team, my only job was just to keep the whole team morale up, keep everyone in some high hopes, very locked in, and focusing on the main thing. It was quite a distraction. We talked about it constantly, like, ‘What is he going to do? Is he going to leave? Is he going to stay? What happens next?’ [I was] just trying to keep everyone level-headed and keep everyone focused on winning games.
“That allowed everyone to really stay locked in. Lane Kiffin is a great coach, great guy, called a lot of great plays, but [I was] showing everybody that, “hey, we’re the ones out there making all the plays. Just because he’s not here anymore doesn’t mean we’re not out there. We’re all the playmakers. We make everything come to life, so just have hope and trust each other.”
There aren’t a ton of NFL players who come from Hawaii. What does it mean to get to represent your home state on the biggest stage?
DS: “It’s great, being like a role model down there, showing people who were once in my shoes, from a small little town, that if you just believe in yourself and go out there and try to do the best that you can do, all your dreams, they can come to life.”
I love your blocking ability and think it’s a super underrated part of playing wide receiver. What goes into developing that mentality and ability to block along the perimeter?
DS: “I think it’s more my whole philosophy with it: establishing dominance. I’m gonna go out there, and I’m gonna establish dominance on whoever I’m playing. It doesn’t matter who it is or the body type; I’m gonna go out there and hit them right in the mouth, set the whole tone for the whole game.
“The other part of about that is just trying to win. I’m just trying to do my job to help us win. If I have to go in there and block hard for 30 plays a game, I’m gonna do that, just so I can give the whole team a chance to go out there and win. As a receiver, you get maybe seven targets a game. So out of 50 plays, what are you doing the rest of the 43 snaps? You have to go out there and block and make the most of it.”
What was your experience like at the combine?
DS: “Oh, it was great, man. It was really like a dream come true. I’m very confident in my speed. I knew there was a lot of questions surrounding it, so just to be able to show everyone how fast I can run, and do it at a high level in front of everyone, when everyone was watching, meant a lot to me.”
Running a 4.36 at 6’2” is incredible. Do you feel like you started getting more of the recognition you deserved after that performance?
DS: “Yeah, because of my size. I’m a bigger guy. I’m 6’2″, 207 [pounds], running that fast. Also, with my physicality aspect, I feel like [I’m] showing more of the complete receiver package and showing that I do everything at a high level, whatever spot it is. Whether that’s blocking, running fast, my size, everything, I feel like is very elite when it comes to me.”
How do you like to spend your free time outside of football?
DS: “I do a lot of photography. Being from Hawaii, always in the water, always at the beach, doing hikes, I like doing photography, taking pictures of where I’m at. It helps me be in the moment, not thinking too far ahead or having anxiety about what’s going to come, slowing everything down and being where my feet are. [It helps me be] grateful for the moments and capture all the beauty.”
What got you into photography? Hawaii’s a great place to take that hobby up.
DS: “It [came from] always being outside, always being in nature, and then, like, you’re saying, you’re just driving around, like, “wow. That’s a nice view. I wish that I could capture that moment.” That’s why I started getting more into it. I bought some more cameras, and [I’m] always carrying it around with me. When I see something that’s very nice, I just take a couple pictures of it.”
BE AN NFL GM: PFSN’s Ultimate GM Simulator
Let’s say I’m an NFL general manager. What would I be getting if I drafted you to my team?
DS: “You get a very versatile receiver, someone who does everything at a high level, someone who’s very physical, and someone who wants to compete immediately. I go out there and compete, get on the field early, whether that’s special teams or as a receiver, just do whatever I can to help the whole organization win.”
