OXFORD - Ole Miss coach Pete Golding isn’t treating the new eligibility ruling like a shopping spree.
A recent Colorado court decision opened the door for certain college athletes from the 2022 high school class to gain a fifth year of eligibility, but Golding made it clear Wednesday that the Rebels are unlikely to make additions under that framework unless circumstances force the issue. The biggest obstacle is simple: roster math.
Golding said Ole Miss has already had preliminary conversations about the ruling, but he doesn’t want to push someone off a roster spot that was already set when the decision came down. At the same time, he didn’t shut the door completely. If a major injury hits, the conversation could change.
“I think the timing of this isn't perfect to create a lot of opportunities for certain people when you've already had a roster limit," Golding said Aug. 6 after the first fall practice. "There's no new additions, an umbrella, like they did in COVID."
The ruling, issued July 31, grants an extra year to college athletes in the 2022 high school class who didn’t redshirt or turn pro. But for Ole Miss, there isn’t an obvious plug-and-play answer, especially since players from the Rebels’ Class of 2022 who qualified have already signed NFL deals.
The transfer portal also adds another layer of uncertainty. It isn’t open, but players who become eligible could still try to sue separately for permission to transfer, just as former Ole Miss basketball guard AJ Storr did.
Golding said he’s leaning on Ole Miss senior associate athletics director of compliance Taylor Hall to help the staff stay ahead of any rule changes. The NCAA is appealing the ruling, so the situation remains unsettled. Even so, Golding said his approach is to work within the rules as they stand rather than hold roster spots open for a legal process that may or may not shift again.
“Our numbers are what they are right now,” Golding said. “We're where we need to be. But, definitely, there's been conversations if something were to occur, if we need to go that direction.”
On the field, Ole Miss opened preseason camp at the Manning Center with reporters getting only limited access. Practice lasted about nine minutes of the open portion, which came during special teams and conditioning work at the end.
The Rebels worked outside in hot, humid conditions. The liveliest segment was a punt return drill, though there was no contact.
Running backs Kewan Lacy and JT Lindsey, along with receivers Darrell Gill, Johntay Cook and Cameron Miller, took part in the drill. Transfer safety Edwin Joseph from Florida State and transfer defensive end Jordan Renaud from Alabama were also involved after missing spring practice.
“I think the way we restructured, it didn't feel like it was the first day of camp,” Golding said. “It feels like we've kind of been at this for a while.
It was good to get those guys who were not able to go to spring in a competitive period to be out there. Those two (Renaud and Joseph) I think have the ability to be really good players.”
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