Ole Miss has plenty of familiar production back in the building, but one of the biggest reasons for optimism on defense arrived through the transfer portal. Keaton Thomas, the linebacker brought in from Baylor, is already stacking preseason recognition and now has another national honor on his résumé.
Thomas was named Thursday to the preseason watch list for the 42nd annual Butkus Award, which goes to college football’s top linebacker. Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez won the award last season, and Thomas now has a real chance to put himself in that conversation after an eye-catching start to the offseason.
The Rebels are leaning on a defense that has been reshaped by transfers, and Thomas is expected to be one of the central pieces. Head coach Pete Golding also added Luke Ferrelli from Cal at linebacker, giving Ole Miss a pair that could become one of the more important combinations on the roster.
Thomas has already drawn heavy preseason attention elsewhere, landing on multiple preseason All-America teams and earning a spot on the All-SEC Preseason Second Team. The Butkus watch list only adds to the buzz.
At Baylor, Thomas led the Bears in tackles in each of the past two seasons. He also finished his college run there with 3.5 career sacks, two interceptions and one touchdown. He was one of the most productive players on that defense, and Ole Miss is counting on that same impact showing up in Oxford.
Thomas said Golding was a major factor in his decision to come to Ole Miss, per The Rebel Walk.
"I mean, at practice, we attack," Thomas said. "He (Golding) loves to attack. He loves guys who work hard, and so I wanted to be a part of a culture that has that same ideology, just coming in and working and earning everything that you get."
That fit matters for a defense trying to clean up some of last season’s issues. Ole Miss allowed 4.1 yards per carry, and Thomas, along with Suntarine Perkins, gives the Rebels a chance to tighten that up quickly. Thomas brings a downhill style and does a good job of finishing tackles on running backs.
The Rebels have plenty of new names in the back end, but the middle of the defense now looks far more dangerous. With Golding’s group built around aggressive playmakers, Thomas is in position to become a national name before long - and maybe even chase the same award Patrick Willis won for Ole Miss in 2006.
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