Ole Miss will head to Jacksonville, FL, on January 2 for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. The team has a chance for another double-digit winning season if they can beat 9-3 Duke, looking for their first 10-win season since 2013.
Most NFL-bound players opt out of bowl games to avoid injury, avoiding a chance of dropping their draft stock. Ole Miss is one team that sees most of its stars heading for the next level deciding to play.
It's fantastic news for Rebels fans, who get to watch and celebrate some of the best players who have worn the famous Ole Miss jersey, even if some have only worn it for one season.
Jaxson Dart, Walter Nolen, and others aren't done yet
Walter Nolen, who transferred to Oxford before the 2024 season, looks to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Ole Miss witnessed Nolen transform from a good player to a special talent, something he credited defensive coordinator Pete Golding and other staff members for.
Jaxson Dart, Jared Ivey, JJ Pegues, and Jordan Watkins have all confirmed they will play in the bowl game. These are players who have been with the program for several years. They have been part of the massive change in the narrative around Ole Miss, and the fact we get to wave them off one last time is the least they deserve.
“We want to finish what we started.”
— Brad Logan (@BradLoganCOTE) December 17, 2024
-Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart on playing in the Gator Bowl pic.twitter.com/f4NtDeCfMM
Trey Amos and Princely Umanmielen, another two one-season and done transfers, will also play. Both played huge parts in some of the best parts of the 2024 season. Once again, it would be understandable for both to opt-out, but it shows the character of all the players wanting to play one last time with their teammates.
Unfortunately, wide receiver Tre Harris will not suit up due to an injury, which is a massive shame for him, as I'm sure he would have loved to have played.
Celebrating these players one last time for their effort for the football team on and off the field is an excellent opportunity for the fans. It will be extra special if they win against Duke.