Ole Miss football got a heartbreak instead of the storybook ending they deserved for this incredible 11-1 season.
But, the transfer portal is still in full swing, and so far, the Rebels are winning.
As of Jan. 11, the Rebels have landed a massive haul of 12 commits at the start of the transfer portal. The list, enough to make any top program envious, includes names like Deuce Knight, Carius Curne, Jay Crawford, Keaton Thomas, and more.
The list included some of the hottest blue-chip talent available on the market.
Pete Golding's biggest pass-rusher steal yet
However, ESPN's Max Olson had some particular "steal" in mind when ranking Ole Miss among his Top 10 teams to have the hottest start to the transfer portal this season.
"Maldonado could be one of the biggest steals among pass rushers who hit the portal," Olsen writes about Nevada Edge Jonathan Maldonado, who committed to Ole Miss on Jan. 4.
Crawford, Curne, and Thomas were other notable wins too, as he further writes.
"Crawford was a two-year starting corner at Auburn, Thomas was one of the top linebackers in the Big 12 at Baylor. Curne following Frank Wilson from LSU to Oxford was a nice win, as well."
Olsen's list of "steals" didn't have Deuce Knight in it since it was published a day before the Auburn QB committed to Ole Miss.
Knight is perhaps the Rebels' most notable transfer portal win yet, mainly because he would be filling in the shoes of Trinidad Chambliss.
The NCAA not approving Chambliss's waiver for the another season was a total gut-punch for Golding. Landing a potential Chambliss successor in Knight would soothe that kicker a bit.