Chambliss, Lacy are back to lead a talented roster for No. 9 Mississippi with high expectations

Chambliss, Lacy are back to lead a.

Key points

• DB Jay Crawford (Auburn), RB Makhi Frazier (Michigan State), LB Luke Ferrelli (Cal), LB Keaton Thomas (Baylor) and edge rusher Jonathan Maldonado (Nevada), a former high school quarterback.
• Chambliss and Lacey benefit from an interior line that returns starters in Brycen Sanders at center with guards Delano Townsend and Patrick Kudas.
• Two transfers with top credentials are Edwin Joseph (Florida State) and Jay Crawford (Auburn).
• More importantly, the star power of quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, running back Kewon Lacy and receiver Deuce Alexander return after debut seasons that established them as elite players.
• Rosedale Distilling Firm, on the banks of the mighty Mississippi, near Terrene Landing, is the foundation and culmination of years of perseverance and determination.

Chambliss, Lacy are back to lead a talented roster for No. 9 Mississippi with high expectations. By: Chris Burrows, Associated Press – August 21, 2026. Kewan Lacy (Photo from Ole Miss Athletics).

Key players like quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewon Lacy are returning. The team is focused on integrating almost 40 new players, including transfers and freshmen.

No. 9 Ole Miss is gearing up for a promising season with new head coach Pete Golding.

Meanwhile, a first-year coach, revamped staff, almost 40 new players and a challenging schedule have done little to dampen enthusiasm and expectations surrounding No. 9 Ole Miss.

With Pete Golding stepping up to the head coach role from Lane Kiffin prior to the 2025 College Football Playoff, the Rebels advanced to the semifinals with two wins, including a Sugar Bowl championship to cap a 13-2 season and a No. 3 finish in the final AP poll.

While there's an accelerated pace to fitting together transfers and freshmen into depth charts, Golding asserts the Rebels have enough ability and versatility to field another contender. The Rebels have excelled in finding unheralded transfers from non-power programs — such as Chambliss from Division II Ferris State — and developing them into high-profile players.

Whether they jell rapidly enough this year to perform in the clutch remains to be seen. The Rebels went 6-2 last year in games decided by eight or fewer points.

"What I don't know yet is how we will respond to adversity, " Golding remarked. "Doesn't matter how talented you are. How will we do when we obtain hit in the mouth? We're preparing but you don't know until it happens."

Notably, the Rebels open the season in Nashville on Sept. 6 against No. 24 Louisville. Strengths are spread throughout most position groups.

Less heralded are the defense and special teams, but Ole Miss has highly-regarded players on both units. Will Echoles and Kam Franklin combined for 10 sacks and 20 tackles for loss. Transfer tackle Jaheim Otis had 13 career starts at Alabama.

Senior linebacker Suntarine Perkins has been a big-play specialist since his freshman campaign and is coming off a season with 12 quarterback hurries, 12 1/2 tackles for loss, 4 1/2 sacks and three forced fumbles.

Antonio Kite and Jaylon Braxton are established cornerbacks. Two transfers with top credentials are Edwin Joseph (Florida State) and Jay Crawford (Auburn). Weaknesses could include depth in a number of areas.

Notably, the Rebels need immediate production from a mostly unproven wide receiver corps. Graduation and transfer losses included six receivers, 185 receptions and 19 touchdowns.

Stabilizing both offensive tackle slots that were lost to graduation has been a fall practice priority. Holdovers Terez Davis and Connor Howes join transfers Tommy Kinsler IV (Miami), Enoch Wangoy (Florida) and Carius Curne (LSU) as the top contenders for the two starting spots.

Last season, a lack of overall depth led to late game struggles against the best opponents. A fall practice priority is to build depth.

Kiffin, who additionally took eight coaches and backing staff to LSU, including offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, Jr. And linebacker coach Chris Kiffin. WR De'Zhaun Stribling (NFL), QB Austin Simmons (Missouri), WR Caden Lee (Missouri), edge Prince Umanimielen (LSU), WR Winston Watkins (LSU) and LB T.J. Dottery (LSU).

Vs. No. 11 LSU. (Sept. 19), at No. 5 Texas (Oct. 24), vs. No. 3 Georgia (Nov. 7) at No. 10 Oklahoma (Nov. 14). <!– AddToAny script (best before) –>.

Rosedale's renaissance rooted in history, spirits, and a deep sense of place.

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For now, chambliss, Lacy are back to lead a talented roster for No. 9 remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.