How Former Rebels Fared in Week One of NFL Preseason

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss and head coach Lane Kiffin are coming off a season in which the Rebels had eight draft picks, and five of those were able to make an impact during the first week of NFL preseason this weekend. Check out some notable performances from these former Ole Miss players as current Rebels are making their way through fall camp.

QB Jaxson Dart, NY Giants

Jaxson Dart set records at Ole Miss, and the way he showed up in the first week of preseason for the New York Giants gives reason for fans to rejoice. (Click here to read more about Dart’s first NFL game.)

Jaxson Dart’s stats in his first NFL action:

Passing: 12-19 for 154 yards,
1 TD, 0 INT

Rushing: 3 runs, 24 yards

Three out of 4 of Dart’s possessions led to points. Here’s every one of Jaxson’s throws and runs today. 🔥

(Video: @BobbySkinner_) pic.twitter.com/5RcCPVIZFI

— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) August 9, 2025

Giants starter Russell Wilson engineered a 12-play, 30-yard drive for a field goal to start the game in the Giants’ 34-25 preseason win over the Bills on Saturday afternoon. Wilson completed 6 of 7 passes for 28 yards, utilizing mostly his tight ends and running backs on short routes.

Dart came in second and made an impressive debut when he entered the game, going 12-for-19 for 154 yards and a touchdown. Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito followed. Winston has been with four different teams in his 10 years in the NFL, while DeVito is entering his third season in the NFL, having started eight games in two seasons.

However, seniority might not matter if Dart keeps up performances like his showing against the Bills on Saturday, where he managed to pass for 154 yards and a touchdown after completing 63% of his passes. He also rushed three times for 24 yards. While he had some missed throws, he showed his talent with a 29-yard touchdown that was placed perfectly for the receiver. He also led the Giants to a field goal during a two-minute drill. Dart finished with scoring drives on three of his four series.

Ole Miss fans will want to keep an eye on the situation in New York in the future; it might not take as long as many might expect for Dart to be the new face of the New York Giants. His performance was undoubtedly the best of any former Rebel in the first week of NFL preseason, but others did have a chance to make their name heard in their preseason debuts.

WR Jordan Watkins, San Francisco 49ers

Jordan Watkins made his way to Oxford in 2022 after spending two seasons with the Louisville Cardinals. But now, in 2025, Watkins is beginning his NFL career and fighting for playing time in San Francisco.

Watkins, who was drafted in the fourth round after a 900-yard receiving season to cap off his college career, made a case for why he should see the field sooner rather than later after a 56-yard performance on just three receptions in Week 1 of preseason.

San Francisco 49ers rookie Round 4 WR Jordan Watkins

First NFL target = 50 yards pic.twitter.com/i9M7h712wH

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 10, 2025

He looked speedy and showed a good ability to catch the ball in traffic, something Rebels fans may find familiar. Although he is a member of a talented receiving corps, he could find the field often due to a lack of depth and experience in the room.

If fans want to see a recent Rebel make an instant impact in Week 1 of the regular season, they should keep their eyes on San Francisco, as Watkins is in a prime position to see the field more frequently than any other recent Ole Miss draft pick.

RB Ulysses Bentley IV, Indianapolis Colts

Ulysses Bentley went undrafted in the 2025 draft; however, he still managed to work his way onto a roster due to the sheer talent and potential he possesses.

After being picked up by the Colts, he joined a running back room headlined by star RB Jonathan Taylor. Realistically, he could provide the Colts with a replacement for a future scenario where Taylor isn’t in the picture.

In many ways, Bentley has a very similar play style to Taylor; they’re both 5-foot-10 and are separated by about 20 pounds. They are both physical, capable of shrugging defenders off, but also able to show nice bursts of speed.

That’s exactly what Bentley managed to show in his preseason debut for the Colts in their loss to the Ravens. He recorded 5 rushes for 35 yards, just a small demonstration of his true capabilities. It may not be much now, but give him time to show more through preseason and work his way through the depth chart, and people might start to hear his name a lot more.

LB Jared Ivey, Seattle Seahawks

It was surprising to Rebel fans when defensive lineman Jared Ivey went undrafted in 2025. However, he didn’t take long to show Seattle why he should make the 53-man roster. In the Seahawks’ preseason game against the Raiders this weekend, Ivey led the team in tackles with six, one of which was solo.

This is nothing new for Ivey. He finished his Ole Miss career with 125 total tackles (56 solo), 26.5 tackles for loss (153 yards), 16.0 sacks (115 yards), 17 QB hurries, five fumble recoveries, four pass breakups, three forced fumbles and one defensive touchdown in 38 games played and 30 starts. He conclude his Ole Miss career ninth in total sacks (16.0), and tied for 16th in total tackles for loss (26.5).

“Super excited to be a part of that rookie class, to be a part of the Seahawks and the league altogether. It’s just a huge blessing,” Ivey said after the game.

Ivey also talked about his individual performance.

“I think it was good. There were some areas I can definitely get better, but I think I played really well. Super excited to go and attack the next opponent,” he explained.

Honorable mentions

Bills tight end Dawson Knox and Broncos tight end Caden Prieskorn both put on nice performances, each recording a touchdown on just one reception. Knox’s was an 11-yard TD, meanwhile Prieskorn’s went for 7 yards.

Caden Prieskorn extends the @Broncos‘ lead 🙌

Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/KGRpcY1kkW

— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2025

DAWSON KNOX TO THE STANDS.

Trubisky finds the TE and the Bills are on the board.

Watch on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/wn3uWU0knZ

— NFL (@NFL) August 9, 2025

Here are some other former Rebels who tallied stats in their 2025 preseason debut:

• Colts WR Laquon Treadwell: One reception for 24 yards
• Buffalo kicker Caden Davis: 1-1 on FGs, connected on a 24-yarder
• Commanders WR Braylon Sanders: Two receptions for 19 yards
• Commanders CB Trey Amos: Two tackles
• Packers WR Malik Heath: One reception for four yards
• Panthers LB Princley Umanmielen: Tackle
• Raiders DL JJ Pegues: Tackle

One player who impressed was JJ Pegues.

He gives that NT feel and had dominant reps against the run. 3 plays from Pegues here. pic.twitter.com/Ub97KjrJFu

— Marcus Johnson (@TheMarcJohnNFL) August 9, 2025

• Rams LB Chris Paul Jr.: Tackle

I thought Rams rookie LB Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr. did a good job communicating on defense.

Again…the LB play was solid. Paul with two good runs stops in the clips below. Meets the RB in the hole on both plays. pic.twitter.com/EemEBsP7Hz

— Blaine Grisak 💭 (@bgrisakTST) August 11, 2025

Note: Ole Miss’ top draft pick in 2025, Walter Nolen, did not play in the preseason opening game due to a calf injury. He’s expected to return by the beginning of the season.