The battle to win the Southeastern Conference or a national championship happens one player at a time. Whether it’s through recruiting or the transfer portal, college football is a game played off the field as much as it is on the field.
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin has been building up a monster program and last year probably should’ve been an even better year for the Rebels. They were second in points allowed per game (14.4) and fourth in points scored (38.6).
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The Rebels will look to improve upon those numbers, although the expectations for the program aren’t too high. In March, Athlon Sports ranked them 21st in their college football rankings.
In Steven Lassan’s rankings write-up for Ole Miss, he highlighted the big turnover facing the Rebels.
“Coach Lane Kiffin’s team returns only four starters in ’25,” wrote Lassan. “However, the Rebels should be a factor in the playoff mix again with a standout portal class and the emergence of rising star quarterback Austin Simmons.”
Ole Miss greatly boosted their roster on Friday by adding safety Wydett Williams Jr. via the transfer portal. Last season for the University of Louisiana-Monroe, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound defensive back totaled 100 tackles, four passes defended, one sack, one forced fumble and three interceptions.
ULM Warhawks safety Wydett Williams Jr. (12)© Lauren Witte/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Lake Providence, Louisiana native began his collegiate career with Delta State University before joining the Warhawks.
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Earlier this offseason, Gray Hardison of Red Cup Rebellion, an Ole Miss football community, speculated the team may need a spring transfer at safety to fill in what looked to be a weakness on the depth chart.
“It’s possible they get something out of the list (of safeties) above or find creative solutions involving corners relocating positions, but right now, it looks like (Ole Miss will) need a true freshman or spring transfer to help solve the problem,” wrote Hardison.
Ole Miss begins its 2025 regular season on August 30 at home against the Georgia State Panthers.
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