Kickoff for the upcoming college football season is rapidly approaching and multiple Ole Miss players are anticipated to be among some of the best in the SEC.
The 2024 preseason All-SEC team was released on Friday with six Rebels, all of whom transferred to Oxford after suiting up for another collegiate program in the past, featured alongside the total group of players expected to make the greatest impact on the field.
First-Team
- Tre Harris (wide receiver) — The Louisiana Tech transfer made instant waves in Oxford in 2023, logging a program-record four touchdowns in his Rebel debut versus Mercer. Harris went on to log eight total scores and 985 yards during Ole Miss’s winningest season.
- Caden Prieskorn (tight end) — After overcoming early injuries, the Memphis transfer proved to be a valuable asset for Kiffin, a coach notorious for maximizing the tight end position. Prieskorn had 449 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2023. He went on to be honored as an MVP of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl after the Rebels took down Penn State.
- Walter Nolen (defensive tackle) — Arguably the most coveted player in the portal before finding a home in Oxford, Nolen has been given high praise ahead of his debut campaign at Ole Miss. Nolen, during his sophomore campaign at Texas A&M, had 37 tackles and four sacks before jumping ship to play under Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding.
Second-Team
- Jared Ivey (defensive end) — On what may be the most talented Ole Miss defense in recent history, Ivey is expected to be one of the unit’s most vocal leaders both on and off the field. The big defensive end has been a vital asset to the Rebels since transferring from Georgia Tech two seasons ago. Last year, he recorded 46 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries.
- Princely Umanmielen (defensive end) — The superbly athletic edge rusher comes to Ole Miss as one of Kiffin and Golding’s most crucial portal acquisitions. The Florida transfer is expected to blossom as a member of the Ole Miss defense. In 2023, Umanmielen logged 39 total tackles and seven sacks.
Third-Team
- Ulysses Bentley IV (running back) — As Ole Miss looks to fill the Quinshon Judkins void, the team will not be left empty-handed as Ulysses Bentley IV is going into his third season as a Rebel after transferring from SMU. Bentley capped the 2023 season averaging 5.7 yards per carry. The speedy running back also showcased his elusiveness and acceleration last year, rushing for 540 yards and four touchdowns.
Four out of 213 voters predicted Ole Miss to be the SEC champion this season. The Rebels are expected to finish fourth in the conference. As for Mississippi State, no players cracked the All-SEC list. The Bulldogs are believed to have a tough battle ahead as first-year head coach Jeff Lebby’s squad was predicted to finish second-to-last in the conference, in front of only Vanderbilt.
The full list can be found here.
