Ole Miss stacking those defensive backs as they add exciting South Alabama CB from the portal

Ole Miss has been very active over the first few days of the spring transfer portal. Lane Kiffin gave us a clue that the defensive back room wasn't as strong as he would have liked, and he and his staff reacted by adding a second cornerback to the roster from the portal.

On day one of the portal opening, Kiffin added Clemson transfer Tavoy Feagin, and now he has added a talented South Alabama playmaking cornerback in Ricky Fletcher. The redshirt junior was on campus yesterday, committing to the Rebels 24 hours later.

The 6-foot-3 former Mississippi native spent three seasons with the Jaguars. However, after an impressive 2023 season, Fletcher missed the entire 2024 season with an injury. In 2023, he finished with 38 tackles, one fumble recovery, and 11 pass breakups. he will have two years of eligibility remaining.

The Rebels significantly strengthened their cornerback positions with the two transfers ahead of fall camp. Kiffin added Arkansas transfer Jaylon Braxton from the winter portal, another player coming off an injury-plagued 2024, but does have the talent to be a starter. The team also has Cedrick Beavers and Chris Graves Jr., who returned from the 2024 roster, both backups.

There were rumors that Graves Jr. was heading for the portal. However, he came out and said the rumors were false and he was committed to Ole Miss.

It is also essential for the room experience with the latest additions, with several freshmen looking like they would fill the backup roles. It puts less pressure on those players. Kiffin may also not be done, with plenty of other options remaining in the portal.

The addition of Fletcher means three incomings from the spring portal, with Kiffin adding Ferris State quarterback Trinidad Chambliss after the injury to AJ Maddox. They may also add another defensive tackle with the departure of ASkelo Stone.