Ole Miss senior offensive tackle Diego Pounds has been named the SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week following a standout performance in the Rebels’ high-scoring win over Arkansas.
The announcement, made by the conference on Monday morning, highlighted Pounds’ key contributions to a night when Ole Miss amassed 475 yards of total offense, anchored by stout line play and contributions from backup quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
Playing every snap at right tackle, Pounds was pivotal in protecting Chambliss, who threw for 353 yards and was not sacked throughout the contest. Pounds had been playing left tackle early in the first two games of the season, but flipped side with the change in handedness at QB. His leadership and technique helped the Rebels finish a perfect 7-for-7 in the red zone, consistently opening holes for the run game and stonewalling Arkansas pass rushers.
This recognition also speaks to the resilience of Ole Miss’s offensive line, which has quietly continued to improve under head coach Lane Kiffin and offensive line coach John Garrison.
The offensive line has been frequently criticized during the Kiffin era at Ole Miss, and that has been no different at the start of this season. However, the group has gotten better every game, they have not allowed a sack in either of the last two games, both against SEC competition.
SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week‼️#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/UAeaAzBYOg
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 15, 2025
Pounds shared the league honor with Vanderbilt’s Jordan White, but his performance stood out for its consistency and impact during crucial moments. The award highlights Pounds’ emergence as one of the best offensive linemen in the SEC, a testament to his hard work since transferring from North Carolina and earning a starting role in Oxford.
Pounds arrived at Ole Miss last season and was expected to be an instant impact guy. Things didn't quite click, and it took him time to get going, however, Pounds has fully come into his own and is now a fixture on the Ole Miss offensive line.
As Ole Miss prepares for a tough test against Tulane, Pounds will look to build on this momentum, anchoring an offensive line tasked with protecting a new starting quarterback and paving the way for another dynamic showing. With the Rebels entrenched as a top-15 team, accolades like these reinforce how crucial trench play is to Ole Miss’s soaring success in 2025.