Ole Miss lands several players on ESPN’s Top 100 Newcomers list

It’s no secret that the Ole Miss Rebels aren’t exactly in the best of circumstances as far as program resources are concerned.

LSU, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Auburn, Florida and others make life difficult for Kiffin and Co. on the recruiting trail each and every year, and competition with those schools is becoming harder and harder with the current NIL landscape and the deep pockets of every school just listed. It’s not like Ole Miss is helpless in this regard, but the SEC is the SEC.

And at the end of the day those are just excuses, and nobody cares about excuses when hunting for a national title.

That’s why the Rebels have turned to the transfer portal and excelled at bringing in some serious talent. Many of Ole Miss’ most dangerous pieces from last year’s roster came from the transfer portal: Jaxson Dart, Tre Harris, Daijahn Anthony, John Saunders Jr., Caden Prieskorn – the list goes on and on. In 2024, that notion is turned up to an 11. Maybe a 12.

On Monday ESN released a list of the top 100 newcomers in college football, including 4 players out of Mississippi. And honestly, I’m surprised the number isn’t higher.

Here’s a look at the Ole Miss inclusions:

• Walter Nolen, DL via Texas A&M (No. 7)
• Juice Wells, WR via South Carolina (No. 19)
• Trey Amos, DB via Alabama (No. 20)
• Princely Umanmielen, DE via Florida (not ranked)

The Rebels’ transfer haul this offseason was specific and well-maneuvered, which is what makes this roster particularly dangerous on paper. Kiffin and Co. didn’t just go out and recruit 2 or 3 of the best players they could find – they recruited SEC starters at some of their most important positions of need, ones who compliment their returning talent.

Juice Wells was a playmaker at South Carolina who will be a strong addition alongside Jordan Watkins and Tre Harris out wide, Chris Paul out of Arkansas is a starting addition to the linebacker corps alongside Suntarine Perkins and Princely Umanmielen is 2nd team All-SEC talent who can bolster Ole Miss’ pass rushing.

Nolen was considered by many to be the best transfer in the portal, Trey Amos will start immediately at corner and Brandon Turnage out of Tennessee will compete for the other spot. Folks, there’s a reason Ole Miss is garnering so much national respect coming into the season.

Who did ESPN leave off the list?

Ethan Stone

Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.