Ole Miss Pro Day: Pegues, Dart to meet with Raiders; Umanmielen’s clock starts at No. 23?

Ole Miss could have as many as seven Rebels selected in the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Only a few did much testing at Ole Miss Pro Day on Friday.

“I feel like I had a great performance today, just being able to show my versatility,” defensive lineman/short-yardage running back JJ Pegues said. “All of us, we were cheering each other on. 

“Next for me? Just trying to stay in shape and get ready for that moment when my phone gets to ringing. I have talked to a couple of teams, and I’ve got the (Las Vegas) Raiders coming up. Me and Jaxson (Dart) got the Raiders coming up.”

Defensive linemen Jared Ivey and Princely Umanmielen participated in the 40-yard dash. Ivey recorded a 5.09, while Umanmielen, who last season led Ole Miss in sacks, posted a 4.7.

Defensive tackle Walter Nolen, the likeliest first-round Rebel, had the most reps (27) on the bench press. Pegues and four-year starting safety Trey Washington tied for second (23). All but Washington is expected to come off the board in the draft’s first three rounds. 

“I feel like I showed everybody what’s on tape,” Nolen said. “I’m a good football player, I can move well. The biggest thing for me is just talking to folks and just giving them a chance to get to know me. I got to do some more of that today. Overall I feel like I had a pretty good day.”

Dart, the record-setting Ole Miss QB, impressed in his much-anticipated throwing session. 

Dart is trending towards the first round and as QB3 in the class. He’s currently No. 63 overall on the expert consensus board.

Linebacker Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul led Ole Miss in tackles in his one and only season as a Rebel. He said he’s met with all 32 NFL teams and seems all but a lock for the first two rounds. 

“I feel like I left a good impression with them,” Paul said of his pre-draft meetings with teams. “About me as a person, where I stand, but also as a football player. I compare it to high school recruiting a little bit.”

Paul last season emerged as just the second finalist for the Butkus Award in school history. He had 88 total tackles (50 solos), 38 assisted tackles, 11 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, nine quarterback hurries, four pass break-ups and an interception.

Paul was also first in the SEC in forced incompletions (4) among linebackers.

“It was great to watch them compete as well,” Paul said of sharing a practice field for the final time with his Ole Miss teammates. “Dart threw some amazing balls today. Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins and Ulysses Bentley and Henry Parrish, they had great route-running. Everything was crisp.

“I was just telling JJ on the field it’s like we all came in here with the same goal and same intensity.”

Umanmielen believes his clock starts with the Green Bay Packers at No. 23 overall. 

Lambeau Field, the legendary home of the Packers, is playing host to the draft this year, which runs April 24-26.

“They’ll be getting a game-changer,” Umanmielen said of the team that drafts him. “If you go look back at games this past season whenever a big moment is needed, sack or (tackle for loss), I feel like that’s when I show up the most.

“I’m always grateful. God is so good that I’ve been blessed in this position. But 23 and on. Who knows what can happen? I feel like the type of tape I put out last season I shouldn’t be anywhere outside the Top 20. But I ain’t the one picking.”

Umanmielen was an All-American as an EDGE for the Rebels and tied for the team lead in sacks (10.5). He added 14 TFLs and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. Ole Miss won 10 games for the third time in four years.

“Nothing too special,” Umanmielen said of his draft-night plans. “Just the usual — gather some family and friends around back at home in Austin, Texas.”

Ulysses Bentley ran a 4.52 40. Brandon Turnage and Trey Washington both ran 4.48s, the fastest of the day. Turnage also had the top vertical at 41 1/2.

“Whole-heartedly I feel like our whole team should be the first 32 picks, but that’s a story for another day,” Nolen said. “We’re just here to support each other. We talked about what we were going to do after this year and now we’re starting to speak it into existence.”