Ole Miss standout enters transfer portal, setting up possible Lane Kiffin reunion at LSU

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Jeff Hauser
Ole Miss standout enters transfer portal, setting up possible Lane Kiffin reunion at LSU image

Ole Miss standout EDGE Princewill Umanmielen plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, per multiple reports. A surprising move involving one of the most dynamic pass rushers in college football.

Umanmielen transferred to Ole Miss from Nebraska ahead of the 2025 season and quickly became a cornerstone of the Rebels’ defense. In his lone season in Oxford, the disruptive edge rusher totaled 45 tackles, 9.0 sacks, a pass breakup and an interception, helping anchor a unit that powered Ole Miss to unprecedented success.

Despite previously re-signing with the Rebels, Umanmielen entered the portal. But  Ole Miss intends to hold him to his existing NIL contract, according to On3. His decision comes after a season in which Ole Miss exceeded expectations following an abrupt coaching change. 

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Pete Golding was elevated to head coach after Lane Kiffin left for LSU. The Rebels responded with a 41-10 home playoff win over Tulane before a 39-34 victory against Georgia. The national semifinal appearance ended with Ole Miss falling to Miami, but nonetheless a successful season amid the chaos. 

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Given the timing of Umanmielen's announcement, many believe he'll be heading to Baton Rouge to join Kiffin. He originally spent two seasons at Nebraska with 35 tackles and 1.5 sacks. A former four-star recruit, he now exits ranked No. 22 overall in the portal and the fifth-best EDGE rusher available, leaving Golding with a significant void to fill after one of the most memorable seasons in Ole Miss history.

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