With a month until the 2026 season opener, Ole Miss Football began its fall camp on Thursday, Aug. 6. The team is beginning to answer key questions for the upcoming season, but the true test will be on Sept. 6 against Louisville.
Head coach Pete Golding and his staff are preparing the team to handle anything during the season. The players are enduring difficulties now to be in better shape later.
“It’s not Louisville that the first time adversity hits or where there’s a situation that occurs that we’re not prepared for,” Golding said in a press conference. “We have to do a really good job as a staff of making sure we’re checking all those boxes through camp that nothing comes up … that we hadn’t worked on through fall camp.”
The Rebels lost both their offensive tackles to the draft — Diego Pounds and Jayden Williams. The interior of Delano Townsend, Brycen Sanders and Patrick Kutas makes the situation simpler, but the two outside positions must be locked down in fall camp.
“When you’re talking about five (offensive) linemen, it’s kind of like a puzzle. Sometimes I could take this piece and move it over here, but is that a perfect fit over here?” Golding said.
Terez Davis seems to be the starting left tackle, protecting quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’ blindside. The right tackle position is an open battle that could shift the line around.
“Knowing you have other things with the (Patrick) Kutas’ of the world, some of those other guys that have played a lot of football that you could move and bump out that would create other opportunities for other guys,” Golding said.
Kutas spoke in Thursday’s breakout session about potentially moving from the guard position to tackle.
“A lot of people would hear that and be scared, but I think that’s just another opportunity to show how versatile I am as a player,” Kutas said. “I’ve done it already at Arkansas, and (I have) the knowledge … If that happens, it’s just another opportunity to show my skillset.”
Transfers Carius Curne (LSU), Troy Everett (Oklahoma), Tommy Kinsler IV (Miami) and Enoch Wangoy (Florida) will battle for playing time.
Curne did not practice in the spring due to a leg injury, but he has returned in time for fall camp. The team is working with him on consistency. For Kinsler IV, Golding is focused on optimizing his power-to-weight ratio during fall camp to better sustain intense SEC play.
The offensive line will stay in their current positions for a few weeks before the coaching staff makes any adjustments in the last two weeks of fall camp.
Transfers Edwin Joseph (safety, FSU) and Jordan Renaud (defensive end, Alabama) were not available for spring practices due to injury, but both have returned to the field.
“(I was) really impressed with the summer that (Joseph) had,” Golding said. “We’re still working on some of the outside things, but when you spot the ball, the kid’s special. He’s got unique abilities, … a lot of versatility.”
Renaud should factor in a deep defensive end group which includes returner Kam Franklin, Blake Purchase (Oregon), Jonathan Maldonado (Nevada) and high school signee Landon Barnes.
“(Renaud) has gotten a lot better in the weight room,” Golding said. “I think he gives us a different presence on the edge. He’s heavy-handed, but he’s athletic enough to be a good pass rusher, as well.”
The Rebels have a few minor injuries, but Golding did not seem too worried.
“We do have a couple guys banged up, whether it be hamstrings or some shoulders, primarily at the wide receiver position more than anything right now,” Golding said. “We will monitor as we go. Nothing that we’re concerned about, but just making sure we’re managing it the right way going forward. Other than that, we’re in pretty good health.”
While this is Golding’s first full season as the Ole Miss head coach, offensive coordinator John David Baker’s return to Oxford is also a story to follow this season. Golding spoke highly of him on Thursday.
“I love how he coaches. I love what he’s about,” Golding said. “I think he’s a really good recruiter, as well. I think the kids respond to him really well, and he and Joe (Judge) work really well together, so I like where they’re at.”
The team is further along in terms of players understanding their assignments and accomplishing more at this point than in prior years, for which Golding gave some credit to Baker.
Chambliss, now considered a face of college football, addressed the media on Thursday. He noted his biggest improvement during the offseason was a mental one.
“I would definitely say just my football IQ (has improved),” Chambliss said. “I feel like every year that I’ve had a chance to play football, I’ve gotten better and better, and I just excel. (Quarterbacks) coach Judge has helped me out with a lot of that.”
