TJ Dottery enters transfer portal, per report. How it affects Ole Miss

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OXFORD — Ole Miss football defensive leader TJ Dottery could be playing elsewhere for his redshirt senior season.

Dottery entered the transfer portal, according to On3 on Jan. 15.

Dottery led the Rebels with 98 total tackles this season. He's been a staple of coach Pete Golding's defense since 2024, when he had 76 total tackles.

If Dottery does go to another school, it's a big loss at the end of the transfer portal window. The deadline to enter is Jan. 16.

The loss has more than a statistical impact. Dottery wore the green dot for the Rebels, which means he was the player responsible for helmet-to-headset communication with coaches on the field.

Junior linebacker Jaden Yates, who had 55 tackles in 2024, already entered the transfer portal and committed to Houston. It makes Suntarine Perkins coming back even more important. Perkins is a linebacker who does a lot of pass rushing. He announced he would return on Dec. 18.

The Rebels added former Baylor linebacker Keaton Thomas on Jan. 3. He had 105 tackles and three pass breakups for the Bears this season. Thomas has range, and the ability to cover in pass protection.

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Top Ole Miss football linebacker TJ Dottery enters transfer portal

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