Ole Miss just landed a big one in the 2028 class, and the choice says plenty about where the Rebels are going under Pete Golding.
Four-star defensive lineman Antavion Allen of Hattiesburg picked Ole Miss over LSU, Texas and Alabama, giving the Rebels a major early win on the trail. Allen is ranked as the No. 2 player in Mississippi, the No. 10 player nationally at his position and No. 92 overall. He’s also the second commitment in Ole Miss’ 2028 class and the second from the state.
That kind of pull matters, especially with the names Allen turned away. Auburn, Florida, Oregon and Tennessee were also part of the mix, making this a strong statement for the Rebels even this early in the cycle.
The fit is easy to see from Ole Miss’ side. The program already has four 4-star defensive tackle commits in the 2027 class, and adding Allen a year later reinforces just how much emphasis Golding is putting on building up the front. The message is clear: depth in the trenches and keeping Mississippi talent home are priorities.
There’s also a practical reason the line keeps getting attention. Ole Miss’ defensive front is expected to look very different next year, with Oatis and Echoles certain to be gone and the usual transfer movement always in play.
The Rebels’ future size up front is starting to take shape, too. The committed defensive linemen over the next two seasons are Mitchell Turner at 6’3” 275, Ben’Jarvius Shumaker at 6’3” 270, Marvin Nguestop at 6’7” 268, Jamarkus Pittman at 6’3.5” 320 and Allen at 6’4” 289.
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