Ole Miss Football Spring Practice Report | March 25 Notes from the Field

OXFORD, Miss. — From the position battles to the depth, Ole Miss football’s Spring practice is highlighting both challenges and potential strengths heading into the 2025 season with many new faces.

Head coach Lane Kiffin likes the overall energy so far from the opening weeks despite everyone still settling in.

“I think that it is very competitive out there — I think portal wise we got a lot of new players, probably not as many big names as last year. I think there is a good side to that because you watch guys that will probably be starters being competitive in special teams drills.”

~ Kiffin in his opening statement

Here is our notes from Tuesday morning on the gridiron:

Offense 

The Austin Simmons era is officially underway in Oxford, but on Tuesday it was redshirt freshman AJ Maddox standing out among the quarterback bunch. The Mississippi native is already a known speedster on the Ole Miss roster, however, it was the arm strength that impressed to kick off week two of camp. Louisville transfer Pierce Clarkson continues to work beside Maddox and Simmons with all three signal-callers getting a handful of snaps.

Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons getting some throws in at Spring practice Tuesday.@TheRebelWalk pic.twitter.com/T3ahNQAogr

— Kam Wicker (@kam_wicker) March 25, 2025

Incomplete pass here, but redshirt freshman QB AJ Maddox showing off the arm strength with a deep crosser to Winston Watkins.@TheRebelWalk pic.twitter.com/58iiubN264

— Kam Wicker (@kam_wicker) March 25, 2025

Up front protecting the quarterbacks, sophomore Brycen Sanders took a handful of snaps at center today during the indoor portion of practice before handing things off to Arkansas transfer Patrick Kutas. Transfers PJ Wilkins (UNC-Charlotte) and Delano Townsend (UAB) manned the interior offensive line throughout the viewing periods while returning junior Cam East and Auburn transfer Percy Lewis stuck at the tackle spots.

Along with Sanders, a handful of offensive linemen took a light approach to practice including returning starters Jayden Williams and Diego Pounds. Another noticeable member of the trenches was New Mexico transfer Trace Bruckler. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound tight end is another big body up front that could play a huge role in the run game for the Rebels in 2025.

As far as the playmakers, West Virginia Traylon Ray was seen at practice today standing out with his length although taking a light approach to practice. Oklahoma State transfer De’Zhaun Stribling and Penn State transfer Harrison Wallace III both continue to separate from the pack of new faces with their big play abilities and SEC size.

In the backfield with the signal-callers, Missouri transfer Kewan Lacy took a handful of live snaps along with returner Logan Diggs and Akron transfer Jordan Simmons. Diggs, seeming to recover well from his injury, looks to be in great shape listed at 215 pounds.

The new look RB room getting some work in.

No. 5 Kewan Lacy
No. 23 Jordan Simmons
No. 22 Logan Diggs@TheRebelWalk pic.twitter.com/OmUgAqU6T0

— Kam Wicker (@kam_wicker) March 25, 2025

Diggs says he believes the Rebels have a good group of guys at running back this season, “A different group of guys — me and Domonique (Thomas) are the only guys left, experience wise, in the room,” he said. “We have been taking Kewan (Lacy), Jordan (Simmons) and everyone else under our wing and teaching them the ropes.”

Defense 

Although the loss of talent from the front seven a year ago for Ole Miss is not immediately replaceable, the depth on the defensive line for the Rebels could carry them to more success in 2025. Returners Zxavian Harris, Jamarious Brown, Akelo Stone, Kam Franklin and Will Echoles bring an understanding of the Pete Golding system while many newcomers begin to stand out as well.

After practice, Brown commented on the large amount of returners coming back to the roster this year, “I think we have a great group, we have been going after it. I think it’s the same as last year, there is no drop-off, it just keeps going.”

Nebraska transfer Princewill Umanmielen was seen working with analyst Lou Spanos again along with returner DeeJay Holmes. After practice, Umanmielen stated that working with Spanos is all about getting into the details of the game.

With Suntarine Perkins still rehabbing from offseason surgery, Holmes along with Missouri State transfer Tahj Chambers were seen working in the standup EDGE spot that the preseason All-American will likely start at in the Fall. Chambers also worked through a handful of linebacker drills with the inside linebacker group.

Andrew Jones (No. 12) and Tahj Chambers (No. 26) working inside linebacker drills with Pete Golding today. @TheRebelWalk pic.twitter.com/xgiiWWiLDv

— Kam Wicker (@kam_wicker) March 25, 2025

Behind the defensive front, senior Tyler Banks along with Grambling State transfer Andrew Jones worked a handful of snaps at linebacker with returning starter TJ Dottery practicing lightly. Marshall transfer Jaden Yates was seen manning a hybrid linebacker role where he was out in space lined up on tight ends at times.

Special teams

Although special team drills are not typically shown during viewing periods, the Rebels will have the challenge of replacing 2024 starting kicker Caden Davis and starting punter Fraser Masin. After practice, Kiffin explained the keys of replacing two multi-year starters at those positions, “I think the success helps,” he said. “We have had really good success there.”

The Australia to Ole Miss pipeline for punters continues in Oxford with Barker College transfer Oscar Bird from Sydney. The freshman is the only punter listed on the roster.

The replacement for Davis looks to be junior Western Kentucky transfer Lucas Carneiro, although freshman kicker Mike Baker is also listed on the roster. Starting long-snapper Carter Short also returns to the Rebels for his senior year.

Up next

The media will have another viewing next Tuesday, April 1, but the Ole Miss football team will continue Spring practice throughout the week. The Ole Miss NFL Pro Day is scheduled for Friday, March 28, with the starting time still to be determined.