It's not often that Ole Miss loses players during the transfer portal windows. However, they look set to lose an experienced player from their depth chart this spring. On3's Ole Miss website has confirmed that sources close to them have said defensive tackle Akelo Stone is set to enter the transfer portal. He is said to have already heard from Florida State and Michigan State.
Stone was using his sixth year of eligibility available and does graduate in a week. However, he will likely play his final football season away from Oxford. With most of the defensive line heading for the NFL Draft, Stone may have been expected to be a starter in 2025.
After spending three seasons with Georgia Tech, the big DT transferred to Ole Miss for the previous two years. He appeared in 11 games for the Rebels as a rotation and backup in 2024, finishing with 15 total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one QB hurry, and a pass breakup.
The decision to transfer out is a surprise, but does it mean he has dropped down the depth chart for the Rebels? Lane Kiffin and defensive coordinator Pete Golding do a fantastic job of recruiting the defensive front before adding talent from the transfer portal.
2024 true freshman William Echoles saw the field a little last season, and the staff is super excited about him. Class of 2023 recruit Jamroius Brown is reportedly doing well during the spring, and redshirt freshman Jweffrey Rush is also a talented DT. Add 2025 recruit Andrew Maddox, potentially one of the young players who has worked to become a potential starter over Stone.
Whatever the reason, losing an experienced player is a blow for Kiffin, a starter or a backup player. He may look at the portal to add a defensive tackle with some experience.