Ole Miss is replacing its entering starting defensive line. However, the Rebels are still bullish on what they have.
Ole Miss is replacing its entering starting defensive line.
The Rebels are still bullish on what they have.
“Everybody on defense is talented,” Ole Miss offensive lineman Delano Townsend said. “So, no plays off. You’ve got to bring it every play. Just like coach says, iron sharpening iron.”
A team source told Rebel Grove recently Ole Miss would put its eight-man defensive line rotation up against any other in college football.
Veteran defensive tackle Jam Brown is in total agreement, even if he feels the group, collectively, has something to prove.
“We’ve been working real hard,” Brown said. “We the underdogs right now because we just had a lot of people leave. So, we’re just working to continue to get better, and we’re just going to show it in the season.”
Brown is leading the way alongside fellow seasoned vet Zxavian Harris. Otherwise, though, the front was completely overhauled in the off-season.
The Rebels are also high on their second-year crop of former top-ranked recruits, who appear ready for their turn in the spotlight. Defensive tackle William Echoles was a mid-season Freshman All-American last season, according to On3. Defensive end Kam Franklin was once Mississippi’s top-ranked prospect.
“Will’s a dog. I’m excited to see him play this year,” Brown said. “Just everything we know, we’re just pouring into our younger guys and trying to show them the ropes the right way. We’re doing great, man. Everybody’s buying into the program, and I’m excited to see what’s to come.”
Ole Miss last season set new single-season records for sacks (52) and tackles for loss (120).
Gone are Walter Nolen, Princely Umanmielen, JJ Pegues and Jared Ivey. The Rebels signed — in a portal class ranked No. 3 nationally by On3 — Top 10 EDGE transfers Da’Shawn Womack (LSU) and Princewill Umanmielen.
Ole Miss is midway through fall camp practices. The Rebels open the 2025-26 season against Georgia State on August 30.
“Everybody. Everybody,” Brown said of who’s standing out. “They count us out, so we’re just going to prove them wrong.”
The 6-foot-1, 315-pound Brown appeared in all 13 games for Ole Miss last season. He finished with 20 total tackles, as well as 2.5 tackles for loss, a half a sack, an interception and three passes defended.
“As I get older, I just learn to watch the older guys, the guys previous here and the guys in the league,” Brown said. “I ask them, like, j ‘What’s the biggest thing from the transition to the league?’ They basically just tell me to take care of your body and stuff like that.”
Category: General Sports
