By Tony Thomas
The Ole Miss Rebels are coming off an 11-2 record in 2023, and return some quality talent on both sides of the ball. The Rebels were also the “Kings of the Portal” landing some of the top transfer portal talent available. Here we profile three portal players that will make an impact in Oxford in 2024.
DL Walter Nolen
Previous Schools: Texas A&M Aggies
6’4”, 290 lbs.
Considered the #1 DL prospect and the #1 overall prospect in the portal, Walter Nolen is a former 5-star recruit and #2 overall player in the heralded 2022 recruiting class at Texas A&M.
Welcome to the Sip, Walter Nolen! pic.twitter.com/QgQvyfIVCJ
— We Run the Sip (@OMRebelNation) December 24, 2023
Last season, Nolen made 37 tackles, four sacks, and 8.5 tackles for loss. Against Auburn, Nolen made four tackles, two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in a 27-10 win. In his brief college career, Nolen has 66 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and five sacks to his credit.
Nolen can play either inside or outside on what will certainly be an extremely talented defensive line going into 2024, and is a huge portal pickup and serious upgrade for Lane Kiffin and an Ole Miss Rebels defense that ranked in the lower 1/3 of the FBS in total defense and rushing defense.
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Edge Rusher Princely Umanmielen
Previous School: Florida Gators
6’5”, 255 lbs.
A 2nd Team All-SEC selection for the Gators, Princely Umanmielen recorded 39 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and 17 quarterback pressures. Against Arkansas, he made six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks, and racked up nine tackles vs the Georgia Bulldogs.
Here’s more on former 4-star Florida DE Princely Umanmielen who committed to Ole Miss.
The Rebels are going to be absolutely loaded on defense next season.
🎥: @229Sports_ | #OleMiss pic.twitter.com/ZhgcL3X8Tv
— Brad Logan (@BradLoganCOTE) December 16, 2023
Umanmielen’s seven sacks would have been tops for the Rebels, who ranked in the Top 30 in that category. For his collegiate career, Umanmielen has racked up 99 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, and 27 quarterback pressures.
He and Walter Nolen will form a formidable and disruptive duo in the SEC in 2024, along with returning starters DE Jared Ivey and DT J.J. Pegues.
WR Antwane “Juice” Wells
Previous School: South Carolina Gamecocks
6’1”, 208 lbs.
As a 2023 preseason All-SEC and All-American selection, Juice Wells only played in three games last season due to a foot injury.
In 2022, Wells caught 68 passes for 928 yards and six TDs, recording four games of over 100+yards receiving. Wells’ season-high was eight catches for 189 yards (23-yard average) and a touchdown vs Arkansas. For his efforts that season, Wells earned 2nd Team All-SEC honors.
ANTWANE WELLS JR. HAS THE JUICE
YOU GOT MOSSED KID 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/lxiFNINUVt
— The Transfer Portal CFB (@TPortalCFB) November 20, 2022
Wells bring 31 career starts to the Rebels, and joins a talented receiving corps that includes leading returning receiver Tre Harris (54 catches, 985 yards, eight TDs) and Jordan Watkins (53 catches, 741 yards, and three TDs).
If Wells’ foot is healed after being on the mend for the last five months, Wells will be a significant contributor to arguably the best WR corps in the SEC in 2024.
