Ole Miss expected to lose experienced linebacker to the transfer portal, per report
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Ole Miss will reportedly be losing a key defensive piece from this season. Linebacker Jaden Yates is headed for the transfer portal, according to CBS Sports and 247Sports.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound junior tallied 55 total tackles this season for Ole Miss. Yates spent his first 2 college seasons at Marshall. In 2024 for the Thundering Herd, Yates amassed 115 total tackles en route to first-team All-Sun Belt honors and a Phil Steele honorable mention All-American nod.
Coming out of high school, Yates was regarded by 247Sports as the No. 68 prospect from Ohio and the No. 165 linebacker in the country. Yates was an All-Ohio First Team selection, All-Region selection and Conference Player of the Year during his high school career, finishing with 122 tackles and 10 sacks.
Ole Miss finished this season 13-2 and reached the College Football Playoff semifinals despite head coach Lane Kiffin leaving after the Egg Bowl. Former defensive coordinator Pete Golding, who took over as head coach, will lead the program into 2026 and beyond.
While losing Yates isn’t what Ole Miss wanted, the Rebels have been off to a good start this offseason. Ole Miss has already retained several key players from its 2025 roster and made a couple of high-profile additions as well.
