Princewill Umanmielen is on the move again-and this time, he’s following a familiar face.
The standout defensive end, who played a key role in Ole Miss’ run to the College Football Playoff semifinals, has officially signed with LSU. The move reunites him with head coach Lane Kiffin, who recently made the jump from Oxford to Baton Rouge. And if you’re wondering whether this was in the cards all along, well, the writing had been on the wall ever since Umanmielen entered the transfer portal.
This is a big-time pickup for the Tigers. Umanmielen isn’t just a productive edge rusher-he’s one of the top names in the transfer portal, ranked No. 3 overall by On3.
His 2025 campaign at Ole Miss was a breakout year: 45 tackles, 9 sacks, and even an interception to round out a stat line that screams impact player. He wasn’t just part of the Rebels’ defensive identity-he helped define it.
Now, LSU adds another elite pass rusher to its defensive front, and the timing couldn’t be better. With the Tigers already holding a commitment from the No. 1 player in the portal, Umanmielen’s arrival gives them two of the top three. That’s not just stacking talent-that’s building a defense that can contend immediately.
Umanmielen’s journey has been anything but linear. Coming out of high school, he was a four-star recruit out of Texas, ranked No. 216 nationally and No. 50 in the state, per the 247Sports Composite.
He signed with Nebraska, where he spent two seasons mostly in a rotational role, logging 35 tackles and 1.5 sacks. But once he landed at Ole Miss, everything clicked.
He found his stride, his production skyrocketed, and his name started popping up in every conversation about top defensive players in the SEC.
His decision to follow Kiffin to LSU isn’t an isolated case, either. He’s one of several key Rebels making the leap to Baton Rouge, joining wide receiver Winston Watkins, linebacker Devin Harper, and defensive back TJ Dotter. It’s clear that Kiffin’s influence-and the culture he’s building-is resonating with players who’ve already thrived under his leadership.
For LSU, this isn’t just about acquiring talent-it’s about continuity. Umanmielen already knows Kiffin’s system, he’s proven he can produce at a high level in the SEC, and he brings big-game experience to a team looking to make its own playoff push. The Tigers aren’t just reloading-they’re reloading with guys who’ve already been through the fire.
Princewill Umanmielen may have started his college career in Nebraska, but his star truly rose in Oxford. Now, he’s bringing that momentum to Baton Rouge, and if his 2025 season was any indication, LSU fans have every reason to be excited.