UNIVERSITY RELEASE — Originally published by Ole Miss Athletics, Aug. 5, 2026.
There is a new head coach in Oxford, but not an unfamiliar one. Pete Golding enters his first full season leading the Rebels after a College Football Playoff semifinal run and the first 13-win season in program history. Ole Miss has now posted three consecutive seasons of 10 or more wins, a first for the program.
By the Numbers
- Lettermen returning/lost: 49/42
- Offensive lettermen: 22/19 · Defensive lettermen: 24/20 · Specialists: 3/3
- Starters returning/lost: 12/14
- Offensive starters: 5/6 · Defensive starters: 5/7 · Specialists: 2/1
The Rebels open 2026 ranked inside the top 10 by multiple outlets while facing the task of replacing seven defensive and six offensive starters from last year’s team. Golding and his staff moved quickly to restock, bringing a significant infusion of talent to the roster.
At linebacker, Luke Ferrelli arrives after earning ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors at Cal, joined by Keaton Thomas, who has back-to-back 100-tackle seasons at Baylor behind him.
The secondary brings back 14 letterwinners but must replace four starters. Antonio Kite and Jaylon Braxton return at corner alongside Auburn transfer Jalyn Crawford, with Cedrick Beavers, Pat Broomfield and Tavoy Feagin back in reserve roles. At safety, the departures of Kapena Gushiken, Sage Ryan and Wydett Williams Jr. open the door for transfers Joenel Aguero (Georgia), Sharif Denson (Florida) and Edwin Joseph (Florida State), who will compete alongside returners Ladarian Clardy, Nick Cull, Andy Jaffe and Anthony Robinson III.
📄 Read the full university release: 2026 Football Outlook: Rebels Ready to Embrace Spotlight → (OleMissSports.com)