As Spring Portal Window Closed this Week, Lane Kiffin’s Roster Emerged Strong as Rebels Look Ahead to ‘Last Dance’ Season
OXFORD, Miss. — The two-week spring transfer portal window is now closed, ending at midnight Tuesday. How were the Rebels affected? To be honest, there was not much portal action on the departing side for head coach Lane Kiffin’s team — and he’s likely pretty happy about that.
With so many of the team’s stars heading back to Oxford for their “last dance” season this fall, it makes sense that not too many were eager to leave a program that is predicted by most analysts to make the College Football Playoffs, and possibly go pretty deep.
Click here for Ole Miss Football Transfer Portal Tracker.
Ole Miss lost eight total players, none of whom were starters. Those players are: Kedrick Reescano (RB), Joshua Harris (DL), Amorion Walker (CB), Demarcus Smith (DL), Zakhari Franklin (WR), DelJay Bailey (QB), Skielar Mann (LB), and Jayvontay Conner (TE).
Most of those who entered the portal were considered depth pieces. The two biggest names who departed are Reescano and Harris. While the two are talented players that likely the Rebels would have been happy to retain, Harris was more of a rotational player, while Reescano played mostly on special teams and not tally any carries at running back.
With the additions of two of the top defensive linemen in the country in A&M transfer Walter Nolen and Florida’s Princely Umanmielen, and a strong group of returnees, Harris’ departure is understandable.
The same is true for Reescano. Ole Miss returns Ulysses Bentley IV, a stalwart of the Rebel offense. Following Quinshon Judkins’ transfer to Ohio State, Kiffin and company secured commitments from Miami’s Henry Parrish Jr., formerly with Ole Miss, and New Mexico transfer Jacory Croskey-Merritt through the portal. They also added Logan Diggs, a transfer from LSU, whose situation is not quite clear as he’s recovering from injury. Needless to say, all this means it’s understandable Reescano would want to try and find a better situation for himself.
Another player who entered the portal is defensive lineman Demarcus Smith for much the same reasons as Harris and Reescano.
An additional depth piece Ole Miss lost is cornerback Amorion Walker who transferred in from Michigan during the winter window. However, after participating in spring camp, he has opted to re-enter the portal. Again, though, the Rebels have addressed that area. They added Alabama transfer Trey Amos as well as Tennessee transfer Brandon Turnage. It’s entirely possible they could add another transfer before the season begins.
As a member of perhaps one of the deepest and most talented rooms on the team, quarterback DelJay Bailey also entered the portal. With Jaxson Dart, Austin Simmons, Walker Howard, and AJ Maddox ahead of him on the depth chart, it’s understandable he would want to pursue other options.
Linebacker Skielar Mann entered the portal Tuesday. He did not record any appearances last season for the Rebels. A Georgia native, he was named Georgia Region 2-3A 2022 Defensive Player of the Year.
Wide receiver Zakhari Franklin has also entered the portal. Franklin, you’ll recall, transferred to Ole Miss ahead of last season from UTSA as a highly-decorated receiver. However, he did not play for the Rebels as he recovered from injury.
Again, with receivers Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins, Cayden Lee, and Ayden Williams returning, as well as the portal additions of transfers Juice Wells (South Carolina), Devin Price (FAU), Deion Smith (Holmes Community College), Marquis Willis (Coahoma CC), Jarnorris Hopson (Northwest Miss. CC) and incoming freshman Noreel White, it is again understandable Franklin would decide to hit the portal.
The final Ole Miss player to enter the portal this spring is reserve tight end Jayvontay Conner. In addition to returning starter Caden Prieskorn and backup Hudson Wolfe, Ole Miss brought in Virginia Tech transfer Dae’Quan Wright who is expected to contribute at the position this fall.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn’s love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
