.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
2026 Football Outlook: Rebels Ready to Embrace Spotlight
8/5/2026 | Football
Lettermen Returning/Lost: 49/42
Offensive Lettermen Returning/Lost: 22/19
Defensive Lettermen Returning/Lost: 24/20
Specialists Lettermen Returning/Lost: 3/3
Starters Returning/Lost: 12/14
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost: 5/6
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost: 5/7
Specialists Starters Returning/Lost: 2/1
There's a new head man in charge in Oxford, but it's a familiar face.
Pete Golding heads into his first full year as head coach for the Rebels, coming off a CFP semifinals appearance and Ole Miss' first 13-win season in program history. The Rebels have tallied three straight seasons with 10 or more wins; the first such occurrence by an Ole Miss squad. Ole Miss enters 2026 as a top-10 team by multiple outlets, but will look to replace seven defensive and six offensive starters from the Rebels' historic 2025 team.
Golding and staff set about replacing that core quickly, and have brought an infusion of talent to the 2026 Rebels. Ole Miss ended with the No. 2 ranked transfer class according to 247Sports -- its fifth consecutive top-six finish in the transfer team rankings -- as well as a high school signing class that ranked as high as No. 25.
Ole Miss still has plenty of options already in Oxford as well. The Rebels return 49 letterwinners from the 2025 team, including Maxwell Award preseason watch list honoree Trinidad Chambliss and preseason All-American running back Kewan Lacy.
Offensively, the Rebels bring back five total starters from last year's team that set school records in total points (554) and total yards (7,345). Ole Miss will look to continue its run as one of the most highly prolific offenses in the country. Over the last three seasons, the Rebels have the most passing yards in NCAA, as well as rank third in total points and points per game.
Chambliss went from a D-II national champ to one of the most impactful quarterbacks in the country in a hurry last year. After transferring in from Ferris State, Chambliss didn't start the 2025 season as QB1, but once he got his shot, he took over and never looked back. He started the final 13 games of the 2025 season, completing 66.1 percent of his passes on the season for 3,937 yards, the third-most by an FBS quarterback. He registered 22 touchdowns through the air, with just three interceptions.
The Grand Rapids, Michigan, native finished eighth in the 2025 Heisman vote. Chambliss set a new Ole Miss program record with 12 games with at least 250 passing yards, breaking Jaxson Dart's 2024 record of 11.
In the backfield, the Rebels bring back first-team All-American and 2025 Doak Walker Award finalist Lacy. The junior set single-season program records in total rush attempts (306), rushing yards (1,567) and rushing touchdowns (24) last season. Lacy finished top-three nationally in rushing yards, touchdowns and total points scored (144).
Lacy won't be alone though as Ole Miss brought in additional firepower in transfers Makhi Frazier (Michigan State), JT Lindsey (LSU) and Joshua Dye (Southern Utah). Returner Shekai Mills-Knight and new signees Ja'Michael Jones and Damarius Yates add to an already deep room.
Chambliss will have a reliable target through the air in top returning receiver Deuce Alexander. The preseason All-SEC selection is poised for a breakout season after hauling in 44 catches for 684 yards last season. His 15.5 yards per reception ranked ninth in the SEC during the 2025 season.
Alexander will be joined by several high-profile transfers such as Johntay Cook II (Syracuse), Horatio Fields (Auburn), Darrell Gill Jr. (Syracuse), Cameron Miller (Kentucky) and Isaiah Spencer (Virginia Tech) -- in addition to highly-touted high school signee Jase Mathews.
Tight ends Caleb Odom and Luke Hasz return after their first season with the Rebels. Odom hauled in 19 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns, while Hasz tallied a key TD reception in the win over Georgia in the CFP quarterfinals. The duo will be joined by transfers Brady Prieskorn (Michigan) and Michael Smith (South Carolina).
Ole Miss returns three starters on the offensive line in Brycen Sanders, Patrick Kutas and Delano Townsend. Sanders and Kutas started all 15 games last year at center and right guard respectively, while Townsend started the final 13 games of the season at left guard. Reserve role player Terez Davis will look to feature more this fall, as will new Rebel additions Carius Curne (LSU), Troy Everett (Oklahoma), Tommy Kinsler IV (Miami) and Enoch Wangoy (Florida).
The Rebels will have to replace seven starters on defense from the 2025 team, including its top tackler and sacks leader.
Will Echoles, a preseason first-team All-SEC selection, will spearhead the defensive tackle unit after tallying 68 total tackles and 11.5 TFLs in 2025. Kamron Beavers, Jamarious Brown and Andrew Maddox return for the Rebels and will help aid two key additions in the middle of the defensive in Michai Boireau (Florida) and Jehiem Oatis (Colorado).
On the edge, Kam Franklin will be the Rebels' lone returning starter from 2025. Franklin finished fourth last season on the team with 69 total tackles, including nine TFLs and five sacks. He led the team with 15 quarterback hurries. Franklin will be joined by transfers Blake Purchase (Oregon), Jonathan Maldonado (Nevada) and Jordan Renaud (Alabama) -- in addition to highly-touted high school signee Landon Barnes.
The linebacker room for Ole Miss could be one of the deepest in years, with the return of Suntarine Perkins, as well as the addition of transfers Tah'j Butler (Georgia Tech), Luke Ferrelli (Cal) and Keaton Thomas (Baylor). Perkins is the Rebels' top returning tackler from last season, as he finished his 2025 campaign with 81 total tackles, including 12.5 TFLs. Ferrelli earned ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year last season at Cal, while Thomas is coming off back-to-back seasons with 100 or more tackles at Baylor.
The Rebel secondary returns 14 letterwinners from last season but will still need to replace several seniors and four starters in the defensive backfield. At corner, Antonio Kite and Jaylon Braxton return as 2025 starters and will be joined by transfer Jalyn Crawford (Auburn). Ole Miss also brings back reserve players from last fall in Cedrick Beavers, Pat Broomfield and Tavoy Feagin.
At safety, Ole Miss will need to replace starters Kapena Gushiken, Sage Ryan and Wydett Williams Jr. Transfers Joenel Aguero (Georgia), Sharif Denson (Florida) and Edwin Joseph (Florida State) will combine with returners Ladarian Clardy, Nick Cull, Andy Jaffe and Anthony Robinson III to lock down the safety position.
Kicker Lucas Carneiro returns in 2026 after earning first-team All-SEC accolades and a spot on the Lou Groza Award semifinalist list last season. Carneiro connected on a program-best 31 field goals last year, including five from 50 or more yards. Oscar Bird will once again handle the punting role after averaging 46.0 yards per punt last season. At long snapper, Carter Blankenship will replace two-year starter Carter Short.
QUARTERBACKS
• 2025 All-SEC: Trinidad Chambliss (Second Team [Coaches/PFSN], Third Team [Phil Steele])
• Returning Starters: Trinidad Chambliss
• Other Returnees: George Hamsley, AJ Maddox
• Transfers: Walker Howard (Louisiana), Deuce Knight (Auburn), Jack Patterson (Central Arkansas)
• Signees: Rees Wise
RUNNING BACKS
• 2025 All-America: Kewan Lacy (First Team [Phil Steele, FWAA], Second Team - AP, Coaches, Sporting News, Walter Camp)
• 2025 All-SEC: Kewan Lacy (First Team [AP, Coaches, Phil Steele]) (Second Team [PFSN])
• Returning Starters: Kewan Lacy
• Other Returnees: Shekai Mills-Knight
• Transfers: Makhi Frazier (Michigan State), JT Lindsey (LSU), Joshua Dye (Southern Utah)
• Signees: Ja'Michael Jones, Damarius Yates
WIDE RECEIVERS
• Returnees: Deuce Alexander, Dillon Alfred, Levi Blount, Caleb Cunningham, Izaiah Hartrup, Traylon Ray, Samari Reed
• Transfers: Anthony Aguirre (College of the Redwoods), Johntay Cook II (Syracuse), Horatio Fields (Auburn), Darrell Gill Jr. (Syracuse), Cameron Miller (Kentucky), Isaiah Spencer (Virginia Tech)
• Signees: Kervin Johnson Jr., William Jones, Jase Mathews, Case Thomas
TIGHT ENDS
• Returnees: Hayden Bradley, Jack Harper, Luke Hasz, Caleb Odom, Wyatt Smalley
• Transfers: Michael Smith (South Carolina), Brady Prieskorn (Michigan)
OFFENSIVE LINE
• Returning Starters: Patrick Kutas, Brycen Sanders, Delano Townsend, Mason Waddle
• Other Returnees: Terez Davis, Connor Howes, Joe Koury, John Wayne Oliver
• Transfers: Carius Curne (LSU), Troy Everett (Oklahoma), Cooper Johnson (Iowa Western CC), Tommy Kinsler IV (Miami), Enoch Wangoy (Florida), Roman Womack (Northwest Mississippi CC)
• Signees: Jalan Chapman, Emanuel Faulkner, Kane Mankins
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
• 2025 All-America: Will Echoles (Fourth Team [Phil Steele])
• 2025 All-SEC: Will Echoles (First Team [AP], Second Team [PFSN, Phil Steele], Third Team [Coaches])
• Returning Starters: Will Echoles
• Other Returnees: Kamron Beavers, Jamarious Brown, Andrew Maddox
• Transfers: Michai Boireau (Florida), Jehiem Oatis (Colorado)
• Signees: Jayden Curtis, Jamarion Owens
DEFENSIVE ENDS
• Returning Starters: Kam Franklin
• Other Returnees: Cam Clark, Talib Graham
• Transfers: Jonathan Maldonado (Nevada), Blake Purchase (Oregon), Jordan Renaud (Alabama)
• Signees: Landon Barnes, Tre Ellis, Carmelow Reed
LINEBACKERS
• Returning Starters: Suntarine Perkins
• Other Returnees: Ford Beeker, Raymond Collins, Jarcoby Hopson, Mark Trigg Jr., Bryson Walters
• Transfers: Tah'j Butler (Georgia Tech), Luke Ferrelli (Cal), Tony Mitchell (Mississippi State), Keaton Thomas (Baylor)
• Signees: Ant Davis Jr., JaMichael Garrett, Hayden Parker
CORNERBACKS
• Returning Starters: Jaylon Braxton, Antonio Kite
• Other Returnees: John Ross Ashley, Cedrick Beavers, Pat Broomfield, Dante Core, Maison Dunn, Tavoy Feagin, Isreal Solomon, Micah Stallworth
• Transfers: Jalyn Crawford (Auburn)
• Signees: Dorian Barney, Victor Lincoln Jr., Iverson McCoy
SAFETIES
• Returnees: Nick Cull, Ladarian Clardy, Andy Jaffe, MJ Preston, Anthony Robinson III, Cortez Thomas, Keon Young
• Transfers: Joenel Aguero (Georgia), Sharif Denson (Florida), Edwin Joseph (Florida State), Gerald Lacy Jr. (Trinity Valley CC)
• Signees: Nascar McCoy, Craig Tutt
SPECIALISTS
• 2025 All-SEC: Lucas Carneiro (First Team [Coaches])
• Returning Starters: Oscar Bird (P), Lucas Carneiro (K)
• Other Returnees: Caleb Blankenship (LS), Sean Judge (LS)
• Transfers: Jackson Moore (Kentucky)
• Signees: Richie Bruder (LS), Peter McStravick (K)
