Where Ole Miss football stands as portal closes, including Princewill Umanmielen status
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OXFORD — Ole Miss football’stransfer portal class for the 2026 roster has continued to evolve up to and through the deadline, but the dust is starting to settle.
Coach Pete Golding and the Rebels have landed 21 commitments in the class and have had 21 players enter. The deadline for player to enter the transfer portal was Jan. 16, but movement can still happen after due to paperwork and processing delays.
Wide receiver Cayden Lee was an example of that, when it was reported Jan. 17 that he would be entering the transfer portal.
Here’s what Ole Miss has done well so far, and the remaining questions around Golding’s first transfer portal cycle as a head coach. It is ranked as the No. 2 class behind LSU and former coach Lane Kiffin in the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Princewill Umanmielen biggest question mark for Ole Miss
Princewill Umanmielen’s final destination will have a major impact on the perception of the Rebels’ transfer portal class.
On Jan. 5, Ole Miss announced that Umanmielen would be “staying home” in 2026. On Jan. 15, Umanmielen was reported to enter the transfer portal. The Rebels are reportedly contesting the action.
Umanmielen had a team-high nine sacks for Ole Miss in 2025, which was four more than Will Echoles and Kam Franklin, who tied for second.
If Ole Miss can retain Umanmielen for 2026, it would boost the Rebels’ defensive front that has already been bolstered by transfers including defensive tackle Jeheim Oatis (Colorado) and defensive lineman Michai Boireau (Florida) and Blake Purchase (Oregon).
How many Ole Miss players did Lane Kiffin sign for LSU?
Ole Miss players who left for rival LSU sting more than than a standard departure. Kiffin’s departure added rocket fuel to the rivalry, and the Rebels will host the Tigers on Sept. 19 because the teams are annual opponents.
Three players from Ole Miss have committed to LSU: Linebacker TJ Dottery, wide receiver Winston Watkins and offensive lineman Devin Harper.
Watkins and Harper are young players who flashed potential, but Dottery is the biggest loss. He led the SEC with 98 tackles and was the “green dot” player who had in-game, helmet-to-headset communication with coaches.
Ole Miss signed two quality LSU transfers. Running back JT Lindsey was a former four-star recruit who should provide depth behind returning star Kewan Lacy. Offensive tackle Carius Curne projects as a starter.
Deuce Knight is important QB addition regardless of Trinidad Chambliss’ future
Auburn transfer quarterback Deuce Knight’s role with Ole Miss for 2026 is unknown, but it will be important.
Knight was one of the first Ole Miss additions. He committed to the Rebels on Jan. 11.
Trinidad Chambliss is suing the NCAA to get eligibility in 2026. If Chambliss can play, Knight will be a backup. The Rebels needed to add one after Austin Simmons transferred to Missouri.
Knight has a high ceiling, and could be in position to start in 2027 when Chambliss is gone. Knight, a redshirt freshman from Lucedale, is a former five-star recruit who started one game in 2025. He dominated it by racking up 239 passing yards, 162 rushing yards and six total touchdowns against Mercer.
Ole Miss also added former five-star recruit Walker Howard, who backed up Jaxson Dart in 2023 and 2024 before playing at Louisiana in 2025.
Ole Miss may have signed 4 starting defensive backs
Expect the secondary to look different in 2026. Ole Miss brought in four defensive backs, and all four look like potential starters.
Florida State transfer Edwin Joseph is a safety who will be a redshirt junior. He started 10 games for FSU in 2025. He was FSU’s defensive freshman of the year in 2024.
Auburn transfer Jay Crawford will be a redshirt sophomore at cornerback. He started 10 games for the Tigers and had 15 tackles and four pass breakups.
Florida transfer cornerback Sharif Denson will be a senior. He started 11 games and was No. 5 on the Gators with 52 tackles.
Safety Joenel Aguero is a senior from Georgia. Aguero started 12 games for the Bulldogs until a hand injury ended his season.
Three defensive backs transferred: Safety TJ Banks, corner Chris Graves and corner Ricky Fletcher. Defensive backs Wydett Williams, Sage Ryan and Kapena Gushiken — all of whom played in all 15 games — are out of eligibility.
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: Ole Miss football transfer portal update, Princewill Umanmielen news
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