Trace Bruckler Embracing Leadership, Chemistry, and Southern Roots in First Fall Camp at Ole Miss

OXFORD, Miss. — Tight end Trace Bruckler might be a new face in the Ole Miss locker room, but the graduate transfer from New Mexico is already making his presence felt — both on the field and within the team’s evolving culture.

Meeting with the media after a recent fall camp practice, Bruckler spoke confidently about his transition to Oxford, the leadership of expected starting quarterback Austin Simmons, and how he’s adjusting to life in the Deep South.

“He’s as talented as ever,” Bruckler said of the projected QB1.

TE Trace Bruckler on Austin Simmons

That steady presence under center appears to have helped Bruckler settle into his new team quickly — a process he admitted wasn’t seamless at first.

“It was a little difficult transferring,” Bruckler acknowledged. “But I kind of had a chip on my shoulder. And I knew I was an older guy, so I had to just blend in from the start.”

Still, it didn’t take long for Bruckler to start forming bonds — particularly with fellow tight end Hayden Bradley, a younger player who’s gotten some attention within the program.

“Me and Hayden got close as soon as I got here,” Bruckler said. “And Coach [Joe] Cox and the staff saw the potential in him as soon as we got here. And that’s kind of the things we got to do for guys like that.”

With the Rebels entering another season with high expectations under head coach Lane Kiffin, chemistry in the tight end room could play a big role in the offense’s success — especially in two-tight-end sets, where versatility and communication are key.

But before the season even begins, Bruckler has had another kind of adjustment to make — the Mississippi heat.

“Probably the climate,” Bruckler laughed when asked about the biggest difference between his former home in Albuquerque and his new one in Oxford. “It’s tough coming to the South, and it’s 95 and 70% humidity, you know.”

Still, he’s not exactly unfamiliar with Southern roots. A native of Dallas, Texas, Bruckler says Oxford’s location feels like a bit of a homecoming.

Trace Bruckler on Oxford

Now fully immersed in camp and with just weeks until the season kicks off, Bruckler seems to have found his footing — not only as a player in the Rebels’ offensive scheme, but also as an experienced voice in a locker room filled with new faces and high expectations.

As the grind of August continues, Bruckler’s leadership, buy-in, and willingness to embrace the Ole Miss way are already setting the tone for what could be a breakout season — for both the tight end and the team.