LOOK: Transfer Rebels assemble as Ole Miss football opens fall camp this week
Ole Miss this week is holding its Media Day and first practices of fall camp.
Rebel football is officially back.
Ole Miss returns the bulk of its record-setting, 11-win team from last season. Among them is third-year starting quarterback Jaxson Dart. Dart was placed on the preseason watchlist for the Maxwell Award on Monday.
The College Football Playoff is expanding to 12 teams in 2024. The Rebels have been ranked inside the Top 10 in each of the last three years.
They’re very much thinking championship — especially after bringing in the nation’s No. 3 transfer class in the off-season.
“The vibe’s been unbelievable,” said Yam Banks, a cornerback and one of the transfers. He joined Ole Miss from South Alabama. “All the hype about us, I can just see it.”
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Walter Nolen (defensive tackle, Texas A&M) was the highest-ranked (No. 2 overall) transfer.
Juice Wells (wide receiver, South Carolina) and Princely Umanmielen (EDGE, Florida) were also ranked in the Top 10 at their respective positions.
But Ole Miss arguably found its greatest value — in addressing pressing needs and depth issues — through its movement in and around the portal margins.
Trey Amos was mostly Alabama’s No. 3 corner a year ago, but he started 10 of 11 games for Louisiana in a breakout 2022 campaign. He had 35 tackles and a team-high eight PBUs.
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“He’s a really good player,” fifth-year head coach Lane Kiffin said. “Phenomenal work ethic (and) ‘Culture Guy.’ You know what you’re getting from coach Saban, especially (defensive backs). They’ve been trained in what they’re used to. That also helps in this instance.”
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Amos is a senior exercising a fifth year of eligibility at Ole Miss.
He posted a modest 12 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss last season. Amos broke up five passes.
He had 57 tackles, some 3.0 TFLs and 13 PBUs in three seasons at Louisiana. Amos also forced a fumble and recorded an interception.
“When the news broke of (now-retired Alabama head) coach (Nick) Saban leaving, I had some doubts like everybody else would,” Amos said Tuesday after practice. “I ended up making that decision based on myself and my family.
“Once I entered the transfer portal, I started to think where I should choose and where I’d like best as far as fit and being comfortable. I chose Ole Miss ‘cause I felt it was pretty much the same (defensive) system, but more simple, so I can really play fast and just try to make plays.”
The included photos were provided by Ole Miss Athletics.
Trey Amos
Tre Harris and Trey Amos
Juice Wells
Princely Umanmielen
Isaiah Hamilton
Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul
Louis Moore
Brandon Turnage
Key Lawrence
Izaiah Hartrup
Yam Banks
Gerquan Scott
Nate Kalepo
Chris Hardie
