Nevada transfer DB Michael Coats Jr., a first-team All-Mountain West honoree, expected to visit Ole Miss on Jan. 9
OXFORD, Miss. — Former Nevada defensive back Michael Coats, Jr. is set to visit Ole Miss on January 9, per The Portal Report.
Nevada DB Michael Coats Jr. (@Mike5oats) has set a visit to Ole Miss on Jan. 9th, he tells @ThePortalReport 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/x1Gw4ljmaS
— The Portal Report (@ThePortalReport) January 6, 2025
The First Team All-Mountain West selection went to high school at Biloxi (Miss.) High School, but is originally from Louisville, Miss.
Out of high school, where he did not play high school football, Coats Jr. committed to East Central (Miss.) Community College where he walked on with little football experience, before then later transferring to Nevada. And thanks to a court ruling that now allows junior college players to get at least one more year to use at a four-year school, Coats has one additional year of eligibility remaining.
At Nevada, Coats was impressive. He was named first-team All-Mountain West Conference as a cornerback for the 2024 season. In 2024, he led the nation with 17 pass deflections.
Nevada CB Michael Coats Jr. is a high IQ instinctive CB whose recognition, lower half flexion, & twitch keep him in phase throughout the stem.
The First Team All-MWC CB displays very good ball skills & anticipation to dominate the catch point!@Mike5oats @NevadaFootball… pic.twitter.com/F9pg5Yz5SY
— Noah K.M. Chang (@tr8s808) December 15, 2024
Coats was fifth in the country last season with four interceptions, while holding a coverage grade of 89.2 according to Pro Football Focus. The 6-foot-0, 180-pound prospect finished 2024 with 41 tackles and 0.5 sacks. He notched nine pass breakups and four interceptions. When targeted, Coats had an impressive passer rating allowed of 46.6.
Coats would be a huge addition to a Rebels defensive back room that will be losing some incredibly talented players as Trey Amos and John Saunders are leaving for the NFL Draft. Jadon Canady, a starter this past season, has entered the portal.
Ole Miss has already landed Sage Ryan (LSU), Antonio Kite (Auburn) and Jaylon Braxton (Arkansas), and looks to continue to replenish the secondary.
Coats has also heard from Mississippi State, Minnesota and Indiana.
Stay tuned to The Rebel Walk for all. your Ole Miss sports updates.
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.
