Three Predictions for Ole Miss Players in 2025
OXFORD, Miss. — The 2025 college football season is fast approaching, with Ole Miss football getting underway on August 30 against Georgia State in Vaught-Hemingway. Several players broke personal and program records during the 2024 season, including former quarterback Jaxson Dart, who became the all-time passing yards leader, while also setting single-season and game records.
But it’s a new year, and the 2025 roster of Rebels will have their own goals, as well as team goals, to work toward. In looking at the new and returning players, here are three predictions we believe could very well happen. And if they do, they could go a long way toward setting the tone for the season.
WR Cayden Lee to Surpass 1,200 Receiving Yards
The departures of wide receivers Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins, and Antwane “Juice” Wells mean Cayden Lee is the only returning wide receiver with considerable production from 2024. Lee finished with 874 receiving yards from 57 receptions, the third most on the team.
There are several top wide receivers coming into the team via the transfer portal and recruiting. However, Lee could easily progress again in year three with the Rebels. He has also spent two seasons alongside quarterback Austin Simmons, so he has formed a good connection and they’re close on and off the field.
Cayden Lee activities 🍯@Cayden_X_Lee pic.twitter.com/5dfGbcOGIe
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) July 31, 2025
In the last two seasons, Harris could have surpassed 1,200 yards without the injuries, and there is a clear chance for Lee to reach that target. If he does, he will see his name on the program record list as a top-three receiving yard season.
LB TJ Dottery to Notch 100+ Total Tackles
Linebacker TJ Dottery had an exceptional first full season with the Rebels. Despite transferring to Oxford in 2023, due to NCAA restrictions, Rebels fans only got to see the Clemson transfer in the bowl game against Penn State. But he showed exactly the abilities he brings in 2024, being one of the stand-out players on a top Ole Miss defense. Dottery finished with 76 total tackles and two sacks in 12 games.
Dottery gives credit to defensive coordinator Pete Golding for his ability to explain what players need to know:
“Just his intelligence of the game, him being able to teach that. A lot of coaches can have all these schemes and not be able to teach to it the players. But him being able to put it from the board to the players’ minds, it’s huge.”
TJ Dottery on Coach Golding
The redshirt junior was second on the roster in total tackles to the now NFL-departed Chris Paul Jr. (86). Dottery was part of one of the best defensive units against the run in 2024, but most of that defensive front has gone. He may have to work harder early on in the season while the team becomes a more settled unit, and that could mean more tackles, which could help him surpass the 100-tackle mark in the season.
If he does or any other player reaches the 100 mark, they would be the first player since the 2021 season when linebacker Chance Campbell finished with 106.
Edge Princewill Umanmielen to Record 10.5 Sacks
This is a long-shot prediction, but it would be cool to see Princewill Umanmielen reach 10.5 sacks, resulting in him being the second Umanmielen to do so in back-to-back seasons. Older brother Princely transferred in from Florida for the 2024 season and led the team in sacks with 10.5 alongside Suntarine Perkins.
Perkins is back in 2025, but Princely is now in the NFL. His younger brother Princewill transferred in from Nebraska, and is set to be a top playmaker for the Rebels. He will play on the opposite side of another transfer, De’Shawn Womack, and both have the chance to take considerable steps in Pete Golding’s defense.
In Thursday’s Ole Miss press conference, defensive coordinator Pete Golding was asked about Princewill.
“Princewill is very heavy-handed, he can line up on a tight end or on a tackle… I think right now he’s more of an every-down player than his brother was at this time.”
– Pete Golding on Princewill Umanmielen
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) August 14, 2025
Umanmielen will have chances to get after the quarterback, and matching his brother’s sack totals from 2024 will have the Umanmielen household and Ole Miss fans pumped.
So there you have it, Rebels: three of our predictions for the 2025 season that we believe have a greater-than-not chance of happening. Hotty Toddy!
Jordan Merritt
Jordan is a freelance writer who covers sports, games, and more. A United Kingdom native, he covers everything Ole Miss for The Rebel Walk. He has written for several publications, including Athlon Sports, On SI, Fansided, and others. Away from writing, he loves spending time with his family and watching films and TV series.
