OXFORD, Miss. — After briefly entering the NCAA transfer portal, starting Ole Miss offensive lineman Delano Townsend has decided to re-sign with Ole Miss.Â
Delano Townsend is staying HOME in 2026.#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/aOGJjVch8N
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) January 13, 2026
Townsend surprised Rebels two days ago when it was announced he would explore the portal this offseason, a move that caught attention given how quickly he established himself in the trenches. The former UAB lineman arrived in Oxford in December of 2024 and wasted little time making his presence felt, appearing in 14 games during his first season with the Rebels.
Inserted into the lineup during the Week 2 matchup against Kentucky, Townsend stepped in for PJ Wilkins at guard and never relinquished the role. From that point forward, he became a steady part of the rotation as the season unfolded. Across 936 snaps, Townsend posted a 56.5 overall Pro Football Focus grade, including a 61.5 mark in pass protection and a 53.7 run-blocking grade — valuable experience in one of the most demanding leagues in college football.
Before his arrival in Oxford, Townsend spent two seasons with the UAB Blazers, where he appeared in 12 games and made 11 starts along the offensive line. After redshirting in 2023, he entered the portal and joined the Ole Miss program.
A three-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting cycle, he entered college ranked No. 2,329 nationally and No. 208 among offensive linemen in the Rivals Industry Rankings. Hailing from Flint, Michigan, Townsend has built his career through persistence and development rather than recruiting hype — a theme that has followed him at every stop.
Now, instead of starting over somewhere else, Townsend has opted to continue building in Oxford.
What’s Next for the Ole Miss Offensive Line
Townsend’s return provides stability as Pete Golding and offensive line coach John Garrison continue reshaping the unit. Ole Miss has already added LSU transfer Carius Curne, bolstering the group with another SEC-tested body.
The Rebels will still need to replace Diego Pounds and Jayden Williams, both of whom exhausted their eligibility. The good news: starting center Brycen Sanders, starting right guard Patrick Kutas, and reserve Terez Davis have all announced their returns to Oxford, giving Ole Miss a solid core to build around. Reserve linemen Ethan Fields and Jude Foster have entered the portal, creating additional competition opportunities this spring and fall.
For Townsend, the decision to stay signals belief — in the staff, the program, and his own development. For Ole Miss, it’s another example of roster retention quietly shaping the foundation for what comes next.
