Ole Miss tight end Trace Bruckler’s team-first spirit evident in Rebels’ win at Oklahoma
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss tight end Trace Bruckler spoke to the media earlier this week following a game-changing performance in the Rebels’ win over Oklahoma.
Despite not having recorded an offensive stat since the Kentucky game, his third catch of the season came in the form of a touchdown to give Ole Miss the lead in the fourth quarter this past weekend. Bruckler hauled in an eight-yard reception on an 11-play, 75-yard drive.
Bruckler’s highlight of the game then came after his touchdown on the next Ole Miss drive. On a punt return, Bruckler knocked the ball free and teammate Ethan Fields recovered the fumble. As a result, the Rebs kicked a field goal and put the game away with a 34-26 lead.
In Bruckler’s media interview, he took us through the fumble and admitted that it was the first forced fumble of his career.
– Princewill Umanmielen
– Trace Bruckler
– Winston Watkins
– William Echoles
– Suntarine PerkinsAbsolute GAME CHANGERS in Norman. You can’t say enough about the way these guys stepped up in the biggest game of the year 💪
pic.twitter.com/sbdHaBKlrT— Sidelines – Ole Miss (@SSN_OleMiss) October 26, 2025
He was asked if he had ever notched a forced fumble before.
“No, that was the first one. That was maybe my second tackle of my career. So, you know, I’ve made one off of an interception, and that was my first one on special teams. But, you know, it was a light rush on the punt shield. So I just got out in coverage quick, and then I saw number five running right at me. And I was like, I’m just going to go take a shot at him. And, I didn’t want to leave with my head because that would be targeting. So I just ended up throwing a shoulder in there and knocked the ball out. I didn’t even realize it until I saw everybody scrambling around, and I was like, ‘wow, I just forced a fumble.“
– Bruckler on the forced fumble
Not only did the Bruckler’s performance seal the deal for a huge win on the road, but it also created a lasting memory for the Dallas native who happened to have a great deal of friends and family in town for the game.
“I had a good amount of people at the game, actually. I had both my parents, both sets of my parents, my fiance, my cousins, my aunt. So I had about eight people there. So it was obviously, I bet, amazing for them to see in person. And obviously it was a live televised game and being from Dallas, I have a lot of friends that went up to Norman to go to OU coming out of high school. So of course, you know, my phone was blowing up, blah blah blah, but it was it was just a great feeling.”
– Bruckler on the support from his friends and family
Moving forward, Bruckler will continue to apply his team mentality, whether he’s playing tight end, special teams, or any other position he’s asked.
“I’ve kind of embraced my role — whatever that was. You know, if that’s playing on special teams, only playing on offense, only doing both, you know, I knew that I just had to get on the field, get in, get on the bus. That’s the mindset you got to have. So really just whatever they asked me to do, I’m going to do it.“
Trace Bruckler on his mindset
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound senior also explained the importance of being able to play multiple positions in college and the NFL.
“My mindset is anything I have to do offense, special teams, anything, I’m going to do it. I’ve played special teams everywhere I’ve been. So I take pride in it. Because that’s your ticket to the NFL. You know, there’s only so many guys that get drafted in the first round. So, they really look for guys on special teams who are selfless and just care about doing their 1/11. So that’s kind of my mindset.”
– Bruckler on his approach to the game
Ole Miss will return home to Vaught-Hemingway this Saturday for the first time since the Washington State game, as the Rebels host South Carolina. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.
Until then, be sure to stay tuned with The Rebel Walk.
Hotty Toddy and go Rebs!
