Ole Miss Reloads Through the Portal, But Key Questions Remain for 2026
The transfer portal has been a whirlwind for Ole Miss football this offseason, with 21 players coming in and 21 heading out. Now that the Jan. 16 deadline has passed, the picture is starting to come into focus-even if a few storylines are still developing.
One of the biggest variables? Defensive end Princewill Umanmielen. His situation could end up defining how we view this entire portal cycle for the Rebels.
Umanmielen's Status Looms Large
Let's start with the elephant in the room. Princewill Umanmielen is the kind of player who changes games-and changes narratives.
He led Ole Miss in sacks last season with nine, a full four more than the next closest players, Will Echoles and Kam Franklin. That kind of production off the edge is hard to replace.
On Jan. 5, Ole Miss announced Umanmielen would be returning in 2026.
But less than two weeks later, reports surfaced that he had entered the portal. The Rebels are reportedly contesting the move, and for good reason.
If he stays, he anchors a defensive front that’s already been bolstered by additions like Jeheim Oatis (Colorado), Michai Boireau (Florida), and Blake Purchase (Oregon). If he leaves, that’s a major hole to fill-on the field and in the locker room.
LSU Poaches Three Rebels, Including Defensive Leader
There’s losing players in the portal, and then there’s losing them to a rival. That’s what makes the LSU departures sting a little extra-especially with Lane Kiffin now running the show in Baton Rouge.
Three former Rebels have committed to LSU: linebacker TJ Dottery, wide receiver Winston Watkins, and offensive lineman Devin Harper. Watkins and Harper are young talents with upside, but Dottery is the headline here.
He led the entire SEC with 98 tackles last season and wore the “green dot” as the quarterback of the defense. Losing that kind of production and leadership to a division rival?
That one’s going to be felt.
The good news for Ole Miss is they landed a couple of key pieces from LSU in return. Running back JT Lindsey, a former four-star recruit, adds depth behind returning standout Kewan Lacy. And offensive tackle Carius Curne looks like a plug-and-play starter on the offensive line.
The Rebels and Tigers will meet on Sept. 19 in Oxford. Circle that one.
Deuce Knight Adds Intrigue to the QB Room
Quarterback depth was a clear need after Austin Simmons transferred to Missouri, and Ole Miss addressed it quickly with the addition of Auburn transfer Deuce Knight. Whether he starts in 2026 or not, this is a move with long-term implications.
Knight committed on Jan. 11 and brings a high ceiling to Oxford. A redshirt freshman from Lucedale, he was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and got one start last season at Auburn-where he lit up Mercer with 239 passing yards, 162 rushing yards, and six total touchdowns.
That’s not just dual-threat ability. That’s game-breaking stuff.
Trinidad Chambliss is still fighting for eligibility in 2026, and if he wins that battle, Knight likely slots in as the backup. But if not, the Rebels may be turning to a young quarterback with serious tools.
Also joining the QB room is Walker Howard, another former five-star recruit. After backing up Jaxson Dart in 2023 and 2024, Howard spent last season at Louisiana. He brings experience and talent to a suddenly crowded-and competitive-quarterback room.
Secondary Makeover: Four Transfers Could Start
If you're looking for the biggest transformation on the roster, look no further than the secondary. Ole Miss brought in four defensive backs via the portal, and all four are legitimate candidates to start in 2026.
- Edwin Joseph (Florida State) is a redshirt junior safety who started 10 games last season and was FSU’s defensive freshman of the year in 2024.
- Jay Crawford (Auburn) is a redshirt sophomore corner with 10 starts under his belt and a knack for breaking up passes-he had four last year.
- Sharif Denson (Florida) is a senior corner who started 11 games and finished fifth on the Gators in tackles.
- Joenel Aguero (Georgia) is a senior safety who started 12 games before a hand injury cut his season short.
That's a lot of experience-and a lot of upside-joining a unit that needed reinforcements.
The departures were significant, too. Safeties TJ Banks and corners Chris Graves and Ricky Fletcher all transferred out, while veterans Wydett Williams, Sage Ryan, and Kapena Gushiken have exhausted their eligibility after playing all 15 games last season.
What’s Next?
Coach Pete Golding’s first transfer portal cycle as head coach has been aggressive, calculated, and-if Umanmielen stays-potentially elite. The class currently ranks No. 2 nationally, just behind LSU and Kiffin.
There’s still some uncertainty, and a few key decisions left to be finalized. But one thing’s clear: Ole Miss isn’t standing still. The Rebels are building a roster designed to compete now, not later.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a fascinating one in Oxford.