Ole Miss DC Pete Golding makes bold claim about defensive front in 2025
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
On the heels of earning a new lucrative contract, Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding is confident his unit is up for the task heading into 2025, particularly along the line.
Despite losing four front-seven players in the NFL Draft, Golding doesn’t expect a regression.
“From a front standpoint, I don’t think we’re going to take a step back from last year,” Golding said.
Suntarine Perkins could be a player who takes another leap forward after being tied for the most sacks on the team last season. Zxavian Harris, Jamarious Brown, and William Echoles are other key defensive front players to be aware of.
Ole Miss has been strong defensively since Golding arrived in 2023. The Rebels ranked No. 2 nationally last season in points per game allowed (14.4). Ole Miss was also second in the nation last season in rushing yards per game (80.5). That mark is the lowest by an Ole Miss squad since 1966.
The Rebels are coming off a 10-3 campaign capped off with a 52-20 rout vs. Duke in the Gator Bowl. No. 21 Ole Miss kicks off the season with a home contest vs. Georgia State on Aug. 30 (7:45 p.m. EST/SEC Network). This is the first-ever meeting between the programs.
