Defensive-minded Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding brought in and returned significant depth to the defensive line and linebacker rooms. The Rebels’ front seven are reminiscent of 2024’s outstanding defensive front and could be one of the best units in the country.
When the transfer portal opened last season, a few Rebels followed Lane Kiffin to LSU, namely defensive end Princewill Umanmielen and linebacker TJ Dottery. Last season, Umanmielen led the team with nine sacks, and Dottery had a team-leading 98 tackles, although Ole Miss fans will remember the frustrations around his troubles with missed tackles.
Golding has beefed up the defense and recently told the media that he liked how the new Rebels have adjusted to the defensive scheme. He also said that the new pieces prioritize team success above individual success.
“A lot of these guys that didn’t play last fall are really, really good dudes, and our guys enjoy being around them because they’re like-minded,” Golding said. “They know they weren’t a part of last year’s legacy, (and) they want to help these guys that were here last year try to improve by one game … so I really like this class, both a blend of the portal guys and the high school guys.”
One of those “portal guys” is former Oregon defensive end Blake Purchase. He was a part of a deep defensive line that helped bring the Ducks to the playoff semifinals last season. Purchase totaled 32 tackles, one interception and two sacks — one of which came during Oregon’s shutout win against Texas Tech in the quarterfinals.
Purchase has playoff experience, but more importantly, he plays with a certain explosiveness that helped him pressure quarterbacks last season. In fact, Rebel star defensive tackle Will Echoles, who was second on the team in sacks last season, believes Purchase could lead the SEC in sacks.
One of the most promising transfers that the Rebels landed is defensive end Jonathan Maldonado from Nevada. Listed at 6-feet-6-inches, Maldonado is tied for the second-tallest player on the Rebel roster, a trait he said contributes to his skill as a pass rusher.
“I think my length is huge as far as hand fighting and stuff like that. I could get into the offensive linemen’s chest real fast, probably before they touch me,” Maldonado said in a press conference on Aug. 21. “Besides that, I have good speed and good bend off that edge, especially for being how tall I am.”
Even though star defensive line returners Echoles and Kam Franklin are younger than Purchase (a senior), Maldonado (a fifth year) and Colorado transfer Jehiem Oatis (a fifth year), they are still the leaders on defense.
“(Echoles and Franklin are) two hardworking guys on the field. They’re (players) you can look up (to) on the field,” Oatis said in a press conference on Aug. 25. “Even though I’m older, I still look up to them. This (is) y’all’s team. I’m not trying to take over. I’m here to join y’all and learn what y’all do.”
When it comes to linebackers, junior Georgia Tech transfer Tah’j Butler is a solid add for the Rebels. With the Yellow Jackets last season, Butler had 34 total tackles and logged one interception against their rivals, the Georgia Bulldogs.
Butler is exactly what Golding is looking for: someone who has experience making big plays, but will not shy away from the hard work it takes to fully understand all aspects of the defense. Butler said he has been working on this.
“(I’ve been working on) just having a better understanding of the defense, like the defensive linemen, the secondary responsibilities, and also my job as well, so I can be able to play as fast as I can,” Butler said on Aug. 21.
Former Baylor linebacker Keaton Thomas will also be a new key contributor. With the Bears last season, Thomas logged 99 total tackles — 62 of which were registered as solo tackles, which would have led the Rebels last season.
This season, Thomas will look to keep production high as he shifts from the Big 12 to the SEC. Rebel defensive coordinator Bryan Brown said that should not be a problem.
“(He is) really, really tough, (and is a) very, very great competitor. (He) loves the game (and) is always up here watching film,” Brown said on Aug. 18. “He’s really hungry to prove that he belongs in this league, and I think he’s showing us so far that he does.”
Finally, junior transfer Luke Ferrelli should replace Dottery and match Thomas in tackles. Last season with the California Golden Bears, Ferrelli logged 91 total tackles.
The new faces in the front seven have stepped up for big moments in the past. They should step in as immediate contributors on the Rebels’ road to the playoff.
