With Ole Miss sitting ninth in the college football rankings heading into the 2026 season, the Rebels are carrying big expectations - and a roster that needs a handful of players to take the next step.
That’s the theme across the board in Oxford. Ole Miss lost major production on both sides of the ball, which puts a spotlight on the position rooms where breakout seasons could reshape the year. From wide receiver to linebacker, there are several names worth watching closely once the season gets rolling.
The biggest offensive question may be who helps replace the receiver production that walked out after 2025. Caleb Cunningham looks like the clearest candidate.
The former Alabama commitment flipped to Ole Miss and landed with Lane Kiffin, even though he could have followed Kiffin to LSU. At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Cunningham has the size and profile to become a real difference-maker in 2026.
The backfield also has room for a young player to force his way into the picture. Kewan Lacy and transfer Makhi Hughes appear set to handle most of the rushing load, but Shekai Mills-Knight is a name to keep in mind.
His speed stands out, and so does his ability in pass protection. That combination could put him in line to become the third-down back.
On the defensive line, Oregon transfer Blake Purchase has been generating buzz throughout fall camp. The early signs have been encouraging, and the feeling around him is that he could carve out a major role for the Rebels this season. Even with a crowded group that includes Will Echoles, Suntarine Perkins, and Kam Franklin, Purchase could add both depth and impact.
The secondary should look much different, and much better, than it did in 2025. Ole Miss had trouble dealing with elite pass catchers last season, but the defensive back room now has the look of a group that can hold up.
Antonio Kite is back as one of the key pieces, and Auburn transfer Jay Crawford gives the Rebels another major option. Together, they could give Ole Miss a strong duo in Oxford.
At linebacker, Luke Ferrelli arrives with real momentum after a standout freshman season at Cal. He’s expected to start right away after earning All-ACC honors and proving himself as an excellent tackler in space. Baylor transfer Keaton Thomas joins him, and the two have the chance to become one of the SEC’s top linebacker pairings.
Tight end Caleb Odom is another player who seems ready for a bigger role. After waiting for his chance, he’s now positioned to take over as the starter in 2026. Ole Miss leans heavily on the tight end spot, so Odom should have chances to make an impact every week as he works to sharpen his run blocking before Week 1.
In Other News...
Ole Miss Pros Face A Tense NFL Roster Reality
The NFLs roster deadline brought a mixed outcome for several former Ole Miss standouts, with training camp giving way to the hard reality of final cuts and last-minute decisions. A handful of Rebels found their way onto practice squads, keeping them in the mix as the season begins, while others were cut outright or shifted to injured reserve as teams narrowed down to their initial 53-man groups.
For Ole Miss fans, the update is a reminder of how thin the margin can be for players trying to stick in the league after camp. Some who were released did not stay on the market for long, though, as a few drew interest from other teams and landed on different 53-man rosters, turning a stressful week into a new opportunity elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]
Trinidad Chambliss Addresses The Ole Miss Debate He Couldnt Avoid
The eligibility battles around college football have started to feel like part of the weekly schedule, and Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss found himself pulled into the conversation this week because of a familiar name. Former Rebels tight end Dae'Quan Wright, who went undrafted before short NFL stints and then landed a court order that opened the door for a return to college football, ultimately transferred to LSU, putting another layer on a story already circling the sport.
Chambliss, who also secured eligibility to play in 2026 through a legal injunction, was asked about Wright during a press conference and handled it the way a quarterback trying to keep his own room steady would. He made clear that public debate is going to follow these cases, but his attention is on Ole Miss, his own perspective and the next game on the schedule rather than the noise around who can or cannot suit up elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]
Trinidad Chambliss Could Put Ole Miss Fans On Record Watch In 2026
Trinidad Chambliss spent the 2025 season giving Ole Miss fans plenty to keep an eye on, and by the end of it he had already put himself in striking distance of the programs passing and total offense marks. Starting 13 games, he threw for 3,937 yards and accounted for 4,464 yards of offense, finishing just a few hundred yards shy of Jaxson Darts single-season records.
Now the setup gets even more interesting for 2026. With a full-time starting role and a more pass-heavy offensive scheme coming, Chambliss should have every chance to make another run at the record book, and the Rebels may spend a lot of the season wondering whether a new standard is about to be set. [Read more 🡒]