The spring transfer portal is shut, and although some players who entered are still looking for their next school, Ole Miss appears to have completed all their roster-building work. Lane Kiffin lost a considerable chunk of his 2024 roster, meaning a bigger rebuild than in previous seasons. The transfer portal was his best friend again and has done a good job plugging the holes.
With spring practice over and fall camp on the horizon, who is sitting in the starting spots in each position? And who will face a battle at their position for a starting spot? Let's take a look at some roster predictions.
Offense
Quarterback
Starter - Austin Simmons
Backups - Trinidad Chambliss, Maealiuaki Smith, AJ Maddox
There has been nothing to indicate that Austin Simmons will not start in week 1 against Georgia State. The redshirt sophomore backed up Jaxson Dart last season, and I can't wait for him to step onto the field as the starter so I can stop using that one drive against Georgia in 2024 as a reference of what to look forward to this season.
Redshirt freshman AJ Maddox was reportedly having a fantastic spring. However, a hand injury has derailed his progress. It's unknown when he will return, but the additions of two transfer quarterbacks during spring after Pierce Clarkson hit the portal suggest he may miss some part of the season. Trinidad Chambliss and Maealiuaki Smith should compete for the backup role, but the former offers rushing upside, so he could be sprinkled in alongside Simmons during games.
Running Back
Starter - Logan Diggs
Backups - Domonique Thomas, Damien Taylor, Kewan Lacy, Shekai Mills-Knight
Logan Diggs has the most experience at the running back position, but missed all of the regular season with a knee injury. During his time at LSU, he demonstrated his capabilities and has a clear path to becoming the No. 1 starter. Domonique Thomas played a little last season but didn't show enough to nail down a starting role in a season where the running backs did not have their best season at Ole Miss.
The new additions are transfers Kewan Lacy, Damien Taylor, and freshman Shekai Mills-Knight. You can never count out a running back freshman getting significant playing time, and Mills-Knight has the physique and skill to do that. However, Lacy, Thomas, and Taylor should battle for carries behind Diggs, with Taylor being added during the spring portal. Who will take the first carry in week 1 is not set in stone, so it's a position to watch.
Wide Receiver
Starters - De'Zhaun Stribling, Harrison Wallace III, Cayden Lee
Backups - Caleb Odom, Deuce Alexander, Caleb Cunningham, Traylon Ray
The wide receiver room looks better than last season on paper, and picking three starters is tough. Cayden Lee is a lock in the slot, and transfers De'Zhaun Stribling and Harrison Wallace III feel like the two outside receivers that will start, but it's not guaranteed. Three other transfers in Caleb Odom, Deuce Alexander, and Traylon Ray are just behind with five-star freshman Caleb Cunningham gunning for snaps. The excellent news for Kiffin is that some of these guys have multiple years of eligibility remaining, so whatever experience they get this season could boost 2026.
Tight End
Starters - Dae'Quan Wright, Luke Hasz
Backups - Trace Bruckler, Hayden Bradley
The Rebels had a great two-man tight end rotation last season with Dae'Quan Wright joining Caden Preiskorn via the portal. Wright was sensational last season, and this year he gets himself a new partner in Arkansas transfer Luke Hasz. The addition means the room looks strong, with freshman Hayden Bradley and Trace Bruckler there in case of injuries.
Offensive Line
Starters - LT Diego Pounds, LG Delano Townsend, C Brycen Sanders, RG Patrick Kutas, RT Jayden Williams
Backups - LT Percy Lewis, Terez Davis, LG PJ Wilkins, C Ethan Fields, RG Devin Harper, RT John Wayne-Oliver
The offensive line feels a pretty safe prediction for the starters, with the potential of a spring addition, Maryland transfer Percy Lewis pushing for a starting role. However, he would need to overhaul Diego Pounds, who was solid enough last season. The guard positions look stronger with transfers Delano Townsend and Patrick Kutas slipping into the starting roles left by departees. PJ Wilkins could battle Townsend at left guard.