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Ole Miss Storylines Entering the Season
The Ole Miss Rebels enter the 2025 season with high expectations following a 10-3 campaign in 2024, capped by a dominant 52-20 Gator Bowl victory over Duke. Head coach Lane Kiffin, in his sixth year, has transformed the program into a consistent SEC contender, with three 10-win seasons in the last four years. However, 2025 is a reloading year, with significant roster turnover, particularly at quarterback, where sophomore Austin Simmons takes over for the departed Jaxson Dart, a 2025 NFL Draft pick. Key storylines include:
- Can Austin Simmons Fill Jaxson Dart’s Shoes? Simmons, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound quarterback, has shown promise in limited action but faces pressure to lead a high-powered offense without Dart’s dual-threat ability. Kiffin’s track record with quarterbacks suggests optimism, but Simmons must prove he can handle the SEC’s intensity early, especially with a tough Week 2 matchup at Kentucky.
- Red Zone Efficiency Needs Improvement: Ole Miss struggled in the red zone during their three losses last season, scoring on only 5-of-14 trips compared to 44-of-47 in wins. With a new quarterback and revamped receiving corps, the Rebels must refine their hurry-up offense inside the 20 to avoid similar misfires in 2025.
- Favorable Schedule, Playoff Aspirations: The 2025 schedule is relatively kind for an SEC team, avoiding Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, and Texas A&M. With only four road games and key SEC matchups at home, Ole Miss has a path to 10 wins and a potential College Football Playoff berth, but they must navigate tricky road tests at Georgia and Oklahoma.
Key Players
- Suntarine Perkins, LB Jr.: A hybrid linebacker/edge rusher, Perkins is a disruptive force on defense. His versatility in Pete Golding’s scheme makes him a cornerstone, with 52 team sacks in 2024 highlighting the unit’s strength.
- Austin Simmons, QB Soph.: The new starter, Simmons is a mobile passer who must quickly adapt to Kiffin’s up-tempo offense. His development is critical for Ole Miss to maintain its offensive firepower.
- De’Zhaun Stribling, WR Sr. (Transfer from Oklahoma State): A key portal addition, Stribling brings experience to a rebuilt receiving corps, expected to be a primary target for Simmons.
- TJ Dottery, LB Jr.: A leader on defense, Dottery anchors a unit that allowed just 4.5 yards per play in 2024, ensuring the Rebels remain stout against SEC offenses.
- Harrison Wallace, WR Sr. (Transfer from Penn State): Another portal standout, Wallace’s playmaking ability adds a deep threat to the passing game.
- Logan Diggs, RB Sr.: The lead running back, Diggs provides a reliable ground game to complement Simmons’ passing.
- Princewill Umanmielen, EDGE Jr. (Transfer from Florida): A former All-SEC performer, Umanmielen bolsters the pass rush, critical for games against mobile quarterbacks.
Depth Chart (Projected)
Offense
- QB: Austin Simmons (So.) | AJ Maddox (Fr.) | Pierce Clarkson (T, Jr.)
- RB: Logan Diggs (Sr.) | Ulysses Bentley IV (Sr.) | Matt Jones (Fr.)
- WR: De’Zhaun Stribling (T, Sr.) | Cayden Lee (Jr.) | Jordan Watkins (Sr.)
- WR: Harrison Wallace (T, Sr.) | Dae’Quan Wright (Jr.) | Noreel White (Fr.)
- TE: Dae’Quan Wright (Jr.) | Caden Prieskorn (Sr.) | Hudson Wolfe (Jr.)
- LT: Jayden Williams (Sr.) | Diego Pounds (So.)
- LG: Patrick Kutas (T, Jr.) | Reece McIntyre (Jr.)
- C: Brycen Saunders (Jr.) | Eli Acker (Fr.)
- RG: Jeremy James (Sr.) | Gerquan Scott (T, Jr.)
- RT: Micah Pettus (Jr.) | Preston Cushman (Fr.)
Defense
- DE: Princewill Umanmielen (T, Jr.) | Jared Ivey (Sr.)
- DT: Walter Nolen (T, Jr.) | JJ Pegues (Sr.)
- DT: Zxavian Harris (Jr.) | Kamron Beavers (Fr.)
- DE: Suntarine Perkins (Jr.) | Jamarious Brown (Fr.)
- LB: TJ Dottery (Jr.) | Chris Paul Jr. (T, Jr.)
- LB: Pooh Paul (Jr.) | Raymond Collins (Fr.)
- CB: Trey Amos (T, Sr.) | Isaiah Hamilton (Jr.)
- CB: Brandon Turnage (Sr.) | Cedrick Beavers (Fr.)
- S: Sage Ryan (T, Sr.) | Key Lawrence (T, Sr.)
- S: John Saunders Jr. (Jr.) | Yam Banks (Sr.)
Special Teams
- K: Lucas Carneiro (T, Jr.)
- P: Oscar Bird (T, Jr.)
Full 2025 Schedule
- Aug. 30: vs. Georgia State – Oxford, Miss. (6:45 p.m. CT)
- Sept. 6: at Kentucky – Lexington, Ky. (TBD)
- Sept. 13: vs. Arkansas – Oxford, Miss. (TBD)
- Sept. 20: vs. Tulane – Oxford, Miss. (TBD)
- Sept. 27: vs. LSU – Oxford, Miss. (TBD)
- Oct. 4: OPEN DATE
- Oct. 11: vs. Washington State – Oxford, Miss. (TBD)
- Oct. 18: at Georgia – Athens, Ga. (TBD)
- Oct. 25: at Oklahoma – Norman, Okla. (TBD)
- Nov. 1: vs. South Carolina – Oxford, Miss. (TBD)
- Nov. 8: vs. The Citadel – Oxford, Miss. (TBD)
- Nov. 15: vs. Florida – Oxford, Miss. (TBD)
- Nov. 22: OPEN DATE
- Nov. 29: at Mississippi State – Starkville, Miss. (TBD)
Key Games Preview
- Sept. 6 at Kentucky
The SEC opener in Week 2 is a potential trap game. Last season, Ole Miss lost 20-17 at home to Kentucky due to red zone struggles and a missed field goal. With Simmons making his first road start, the Rebels must avoid an early stumble against a physical Wildcats team. A win sets the tone for a favorable home stretch, while a loss could amplify pressure heading into tougher matchups. - Oct. 18 at Georgia
Facing Georgia on the road is a daunting task. The Bulldogs crushed Ole Miss 52-17 in Athens in 2023, though the Rebels got revenge with a home win in 2024. This game will test the revamped defense against Georgia’s stout offense. Perkins and Umanmielen must pressure the quarterback to keep it close, as a victory could propel Ole Miss into playoff contention. - Sept. 27 vs. LSU
A home game against LSU is always a marquee matchup. Last year’s 29-26 overtime loss to the Tigers stung, with red zone woes (3-of-6) proving costly. With LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Simmons and the new receiving corps face a chance to make a statement. The Rebels’ defensive front, led by Dottery, will need to contain LSU’s explosive playmakers to secure a crucial SEC win.
Season Outlook
Ole Miss is projected to win 8.5 games, with a best-case scenario of 10-2 if they split tough road games at Georgia and Oklahoma and avoid home upsets. The favorable schedule, with eight home games and no Alabama or Texas, offers a clear path to success, but early tests at Kentucky and the Georgia-Oklahoma road swing will define the season. If Simmons adapts quickly and the defense maintains its 2024 dominance (52 sacks, 4.5 yards per play allowed), the Rebels could flirt with the College Football Playoff. Expect a 9-3 record, with losses likely at Georgia and one home misfire (Florida or LSU), keeping Ole Miss just outside the playoff but in a strong bowl game.
