BIG MEN IN THE TRENCHES: Ole Miss gets commitments from former Washington OL Nate Kalepo and Julius Buelow, two of nation’s best linemen

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who has already proven his dominance in the transfer portal, struck again on Wednesday with the addition of two offensive linemen from the Washington Huskies, Nate Kalepo and Julius Buelow.

#Hottytoddy🦈 pic.twitter.com/hNEsMulaZ2

— Davante Kalepo (@Kalepo206) January 25, 2024

GO REBS!!🦈 pic.twitter.com/VtjdRb3NqA

— Julius Buelow (@juliusbuelow) January 25, 2024

These two talented linemen average about 6-foot-7, 320 pounds and will provide a huge boost to the Rebels’ offensive line.

Nate Kalepo

Kalepo is a former four-star recruit and Seattle native. The 6-foot-6, 327-pound Kalepo was rated as the No. 3 recruit coming out of the state of Washington in the 2019 cycle.

Washington OL Nate Kalepo has entered the transfer portal. He started every game this season at guard. pic.twitter.com/u2zcBXlTPA

— NCAA Transfer Portal (@RivalsPortal) January 15, 2024

He has tallied 40 appearances as a player for the Huskies. Kalepo started all 15 games for Washington in 2023 — 14 at left guard and one at right guard — as the Huskies made it all the way to the College Football Championship game before falling to Michigan.

Kalepo allowed just one sack in 923 snaps while allowing only 16 pressures. Against Michigan in the national championship game, Kalepo didn’t allow a single pressure from the right guard spot.

He is currently rated as the No. 8 offensive tackle available in the portal.

Kalepo and the Washington offensive line won the 2023 Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line in college football.

Julius Buelow

Former Washington starting offensive guard Julius Buelow also committed to Ole Miss Wednesday alongside Kalepo.

The 6-foot-9, 313-pound Buelow will be a sixth-year senior and is a Kapolei, Hawaii, native. In 2023, Buelow saw action in 12 of Washington’s games, missing two games due to injury. Buelow started nine games for that Huskies’ offensive line, which took home the Joe Moore Award.

Washington starting offensive lineman Julius Buelow has entered the transfer portal as a grad transfer, @mzenitz and I have learned for @247SportsPortal.

He started nine games this season, spending time at left and right guard. https://t.co/Qepd4qWWp1 pic.twitter.com/PJkGpv84D2

— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) January 17, 2024

Prior to the most recent 2023 season he appeared in 19 games for Washington, making five starts in the 2021 season.

Buelow played high school football at Kapolei (HI), where he was a four-star prospect.

The addition of these two linemen has somehow taken this portal class to a whole new level, and the staff is not done yet.

Be sure to catch up on all of your transfer portal news with our transfer portal tracker!

Click HERE for the 2024 Transfer Portal Tracker.

Hotty Toddy!

Zach Moreth

Zach is a freshman at Ole Miss and is studying Sports Administration. Outside of watching and playing sports, he enjoys spending time with his loved ones and being active. I’m excited to help cover our amazing Ole Miss sports teams!