OXFORD — Pete Golding had a record-setting defensive line for Ole Miss football in 2024. That makes the expectations for the defensive coordinator and the Rebels for 2025 difficult to achieve.
“From a front standpoint, I don’t think we’re going to take a step back from last year,” Golding told reporters on Aug. 14.
Ole Miss set a program record in sacks (52) and tackles-for-loss (120) in 2024. The Rebels averaged four sacks per game, which was No. 1 in the nation.
NFL teams dipped into the Rebels’ stockpile of talent. Defensive tackle Walter Nolen was the No. 16 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Edge rusher Princely Umanmielen was picked in the third round and defensive tackle JJ Pegues was drafted in the sixth round.
Taking at least a small step back is a statistical likelihood, but Golding’s sentiment remains. He has a bunch of new players and he likes them.
“(In 2024) we had some tough guys in that room that had high football IQ and love to compete and play football,” Golding said. “I think we’ve got the same type of guys right now. Not the same names. It’s not going to be jersey No. 2 Walter Nolen. But I think you’ll see some different names, different numbers and see a lot of the same results.”
The Rebels turned to the transfer portal to replenish its edge rushers.
LSU’s Da’Shawn Womack was the first player in Ole Miss’ transfer class. He is a former five-star recruit who played 20 games over his freshman and sophomore seasons for the Tigers. He is a 6-foot-5, 260-pound edge rusher.
Ole Miss also added Nebraska transfer Princewill Umanmielen, a 6-5, 245-pound edge rusher and Princely’s younger brother. He was ranked as the No. 1 edge rusher in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
“I think those guys can really have an elite ability to affect the passer on base downs and on third down,” Golding said. “I think they give you some flexibility to move around. That was the big need.”
Ole Miss did not add an interior defensive lineman in the transfer portal. Golding said that was by design. He wanted to feature players such as sophomores Kam Franklin and Will Echoles, who played in reserve roles in 2024. Zxavian Harris, a 6-8, 330-pound defensive tackle, is another returner who figures to be a big part of the rotation.
“We’ve got all the young guys that I think are going to make the biggest jump this year have been in the system and played last year,” Golding said. “Now it might not have been on the defensive line. Might not have been in the whole package. They just came in on base down, or they just came in on third down.”
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
