Ole Miss Spring Football: DL Kam Franklin and LB Tyler Banks Embrace New Roles

OXFORD, Miss. – With key departures to the NFL, Ole Miss football is looking for new leaders on defense, turning to defensive lineman Kam Franklin and linebacker Tyler Banks to embrace the challenge in hopes that past mentors and personal growth have prepared them for breakout seasons in 2025.

With Spring camp upon us in Oxford, the Rebels will hold open practice viewings for members of the media once a week with press conference availability twice a week. Here is what the two Ole Miss defenders had to say Tuesday:

Franklin ascending as a defensive force

Sophomore Kam Franklin has been a formidable presence since his arrival in Oxford. After day one on the practice fields for spring camp, the defensive end reflected on his development. Franklin credits former teammates Jared Ivey and Princely Umanmielen for their mentorship.

~ Franklin on learning from the ’24 Ole Miss D-Line

Arriving in Oxford during the Spring of 2024, Franklin immediately drew comparisons to Ivey as far as size and play style. Standing at 6-foot-5, weighing 275 pounds, and having similar length to the former Rebel, it was easy to see why.

Franklin believes Ivey assisted him during his journey from a top high school prospect to a highly touted collegiate player, helping with his adaptability and commitment to being great. He emphasized the importance of modeling his work ethic after the former Ole Miss defensive end.

~ Franklin on Jared Ivey’s guidance

Ole Miss sent 11 players to the 2025 NFL Combine with four of those players coming from one of the best defensive lines in the country. The departure of the four (Ivey, Umanmielen, JJ Pegues and Walter Nolen) to the NFL Draft has been a source of inspiration for Franklin, showing him that his dream of being a professional football player is more than achievable.

~ Franklin on his NFL aspirations

Ole Miss defensive line coach Randall Joyner has earned much praise over the past two seasons, specifically during the course of the 2024 season. With the Rebels now seeing themselves as a consistent threat to opponents in the trenches, Joyner has made it known that his group will always be elite. The sophomore Franklin holds his defensive line coach in high regard, stating, “He’s (Coach Joyner) a real attention to detail guy. He cares more about us as a person than as a player. He values that and he shows real love.”

Franklin also commented on a few of his current teammates, highlighting his longstanding camaraderie with freshman Jacoby Hopson that dates back to their youth football days. Hopson played alongside Franklin in high school as well, where they were both forces on the Lake Cormorant defense. Offering advice, Franklin emphasized patience and perseverance is the key to being a freshman in the SEC.

~ Franklin’s advice to Jarcoby Hopson

LSU transfer Da’Shawn Womack also joined the Ole Miss defensive front this offseason looking to be the replacement for guys like Ivey and Umanmielen. Although the competition is at an all time high within position groups, Franklin knows that the end goal is bigger than getting more snaps than your teammates. Much like how the 2024 defensive line fed off one another for Ole Miss, Franklin expects the same results in regard to playing beside Womack.

~ Franklin on Da’Shawn Womack

Franklin also praised fellow member of the Rebels’ 2024 high school recruiting class, defensive lineman William Echoles. The sophomore highlighted his teammates emerging leadership skills while claiming that Echoles will be important for the Ole Miss defense in 2025, stating, “He’s going to be a force. I think he really took a a step into a leadership role. I think he’s going to be a great player, he’s going to be a key piece to our D-Line.”

Banks poised for a breakout senior season

Senior linebacker Tyler Banks enters his final collegiate season with a renewed sense of purpose. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, Banks has all the physical attributes to be amongst the best in the SEC, stating that his feel for the game of football has grown while waiting his turn.

~ Banks on his biggest improvement 

Reflecting on his patience and growth, Banks acknowledged the importance of timing. It’s not often that you see a player in the transfer portal era sit and wait their turn behind others for several season, however, that is exactly what the senior did.

Playing mostly special teams throughout his first three years as a Rebel, the linebacker recorded 31 tackles, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Entering year four at Ole Miss, Banks explained that it wasn’t frustrating to not be a starter because he knew his time would come.

~ Banks on being patient and staying ready

Although not in the starting rotation at linebacker over the years, Banks believes the pro-style defensive schemes implemented under defensive coordinator Pete Golding is what draws players into Oxford now.

~ Banks on Golding’s defensive system 

Seeing former teammate Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul Jr. burst onto the scene a year ago and become a top NFL linebacker prospect, Banks said that that was just more motivation to want to be out there in Golding’s system. Paul will likely be a day two pick in the NFL Draft at the end of April, and Banks had nothing but praise for the former Rebel after day one of spring practice.

~ Banks on Pooh Paul

Along with the return of Banks and junior TJ Dottery, Ole Miss added transfer linebackers Andrew Jones (Grambling State), Jaden Yates (Marshall) and Tahj Chambers (Missouri State). Observing the energy in practice, Banks sees a lot of new faces that are hungry and willing to learn. More specifically, the senior is impressed with the newcomers’ enthusiasm within the linebacker corps.

~ Banks on the newcomers at linebacker

For more ongoing coverage and updates of 2025 Spring football at Ole Miss, stay tuned to The Rebel Walk.