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ESPN has nine Ole Miss Rebels in Top 200 ‘Best Available’ for 2025 NFL Draft

Ben Garrettby:Ben Garrett•about 10 hours•

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Ole Miss DT JJ Pegues and QB Jaxson Dart (Photo credit: Ole Miss Football/Instagram)

Ole Miss football has nine players listed in the Top 200 ‘Best Available’ prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft, according to ESPN. 

Four are defensive linemen: Walter Nolen (defensive tackle), Jared Ivey (defensive end), Princely Umanmielen (EDGE) and JJ Pegues (defensive tackle). The others are Trey Amos (cornerback), Tre Harris (wide receiver), Jaxson Dart (quarterback), Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul (linebacker) and Caden Prieskorn (tight end).

Nolen, Umanmielen and Amos were All-Americans for Ole Miss this season. The Rebels won 10 games for the third time in four years, including a dominant, 52-20 showing against Duke in the Gator Bowl. 

ESPN has Nolen going to the Kansas City Chiefs at the end of the first. Umanmielen and Amos have drawn first-round projections, too. Ivey picked one up from CBS last week.

“I really just want to go out there and prove to everybody that I’m one of the best prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft,” Nolen said. “I’m excited to go out there and compete with some of the older guys. That’s the biggest thing for me.”

Nolen this season tied for the Ole Miss lead in tackles for loss (14.0).

He was third in sacks and fifth in total tackles (48). Nolen added four QB hurries, three pass break-ups and two fumble recoveries. The Rebels set school records for single-season sacks (52) and TFLs (120).

“The biggest thing for me is I want to go somewhere they they think I’m useful and want to use me and want me to play and want me to be involved,” Ivey told the Ole Miss Spirit last month.

“It doesn’t really matter what it looks like, I just want to go somwehre where I’m going to be on the field. Obviously it’s a process and a grind and a showcase. You’ve got to put your best foot forward and show your ability and win it each day at practice. But I want to go somewhere that’s excited about having me. I want to be able to help a team win.”

Dart shot up the draft board of long-time ESPN analyst Mel Kiper, Jr., after his impressive showing in the Gator Bowl.

Kiper, Jr., placed Dart at No. 3 behind only top-ranked Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) and No. 2 Cam Ward (Miami). Jalen Milroe (Alabama) and Carson Beck (Georgia) rounded out Kiper’s Top 5.

Bleacher Report has Dart in its Top 100 players. Dart this season threw for 4,729 yards, 29 touchdowns, and an SEC-leading 329.2 yards this season. His 10.8 yards per attempt and 180.7 rating were best in the nation.

He’s Ole Miss’ all-time leader in wins (28). Dart is one of five Ole Miss Rebels who’ve accepted invitations to the Senior Bowl. The others are Umanmielen, Ivey, Amos and Caden Davis (kicker).

“He’s gonna be a major steal in the draft,” Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz said of Dart. “Throws the ball down the field as well as anyone, which I realize is kinda this lost skill in today’s game, but that’s what makes him interesting. Get Dart a couple speed guys and he can really hurt you.”

Pro Football Focus has Amos with a first-round grade.

Amos started all 13 games for Ole Miss in 2024-25. He finished with 50 tackles, three interceptions, 13 pass break-ups, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

“This past year has been one of the highlights of my life,” Amos wrote in a statement announcing his departure. “I will never forget my time in Oxford. It has always been my goal to play in the NFL, and I am excited to make that dream come true.”

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