In college football, not many teams have flipped the script quite like the Ole Miss Rebels. The 2025 season? Wild. They finished 11-1 and made it to the semifinal.
But let’s be honest, their run defense was a mess and it ended up costing them a shot at the national championship. Head coach Pete Golding wasn’t about to let that slide, so he worked the transfer portal pretty hard this offseason.
Curious how these moves might change everything for 2026? Yeah, same here.
2025 Season Recap: A Tale of Success and Shortcomings
Last year, Ole Miss had a banner season. They finished as the top team in the SEC and third in the country with that 11-1 record.
The run defense, though, was a glaring problem. In the semifinal loss to Miami, that weakness was painfully obvious.
Despite all their wins, the Rebels ranked just 71st in run defense. They gave up 157.1 yards per game and 4.7 yards per carry—ouch.
Defensive Struggles in Key Games
Against Miami, the Rebels surrendered 191 yards on the ground. The Hurricanes even punched in the game-winner with a rushing touchdown.
Then there was the Mississippi State game—262 rushing yards allowed. That’s the kind of stat that keeps coaches up at night.
Key Departures
To make matters worse, Ole Miss lost two of their best run defenders. Defensive end Princewell Umanmielen and linebacker T.J. Dottery both transferred to LSU.
The defense already had issues, and losing those guys only made things tougher.
Strategic Acquisitions Through the Transfer Portal
Pete Golding saw what needed fixing and hit the transfer portal hard. The linebackers he brought in—Keaton Thomas and Luke Ferrelli—could really shake things up.
Keaton Thomas: A Proven Run Stopper
Keaton Thomas comes in from Baylor as a senior with a ton of experience. Last season, he racked up 105 tackles and seven tackles for loss.
He was a huge part of Baylor’s run defense, and Ole Miss is hoping he can do the same for them.
Luke Ferrelli: A Rising Star
Ferrelli, fresh off a breakout freshman year at Cal, was named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. He had 91 tackles and five tackles for loss.
He’s already got that game-changer vibe. Adding him to the mix could make a real difference.
Bolstering the Defensive Line
It wasn’t just linebackers—Ole Miss also beefed up the defensive line. Jordan Renaud and Michai Boireau are the new faces there.
Jordan Renaud: A Physical Specimen
Renaud is a big dude at 6’4” and 265 pounds. He didn’t play a ton last year but still managed 16 tackles.
He’s got the athleticism and size to be a real problem for opposing offenses.
Michai Boireau: A Towering Force
Then there’s Boireau—he’s 6’5” and 349 pounds. Last season, he put up 20 tackles and two sacks.
His presence alone should help clog those running lanes and maybe even collapse a pocket or two.
Looking Ahead: A Promising 2026 Season
With all these new pieces, Ole Miss looks set for another big season in 2026. They’ve kept most of their core guys and made smart moves to fix their weak spots.
Honestly, with Thomas’s experience, Ferrelli’s upside, and the sheer size of Renaud and Boireau, it’s hard not to get a little excited about what this defense could do.
Expectations for the Upcoming Season
With the team holding onto its core group and showing clear progress, fans are buzzing about the Rebels. The 2026 season might just bring Ole Miss another deep playoff run—or maybe even a real shot at the national championship.
If they can finally shore up that run defense, it could open the door to something special. Sometimes it really comes down to fixing just one glaring issue, doesn’t it?
For more details about how the transfer portal tackled Ole Miss’ biggest weakness, check out the full article on Sports Illustrated.
We’ll keep following the Rebels’ journey through 2026. Honestly, with all the right pieces in place, Ole Miss fans have plenty of reasons to feel hopeful about what’s next.
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