‘I Had to Earn It:’ Deuce Alexander Finding His Voice, Chasing Legacy at Ole Miss

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss wide receiver Deuce Alexander didn’t quietly step into the No. 1 jersey at Ole Miss. He asked for it — and then put in the work to prove he deserved it.

“During the playoffs, I told PG [Pete Golding], ‘If we do this thing, I need to be in that (No.) 1,’” Alexander said to assembled media after practice Friday.

The Rebels’ new head coach didn’t make it easy on his receiver, though.

“He told me I had to earn it,” Alexander explained.

And that challenge became the foundation of Alexander’s offseason. It wasn’t about entitlement — it was about validation through consistency, effort, and daily competition inside a program with rising expectations.

Deuce Alexander on earning the right to wear the No. 1

Now wearing No. 1 for Ole Miss, Alexander understands what comes with it. The number carries weight — not just as a symbol of production, but as a reflection of trust and leadership within the locker room. Some of the former Rebel greats who have worn that jersey include Laquon Treadwell, A.J. Brown, Jonathan Mingo, and De’Zhaun Stribling. 

“I just felt like it was time for a change,” Alexander said of his request to wear the number. “Just making history, stepping into that role… wearing that No. 1 at Ole Miss and trying to be one of the greats.”

From Contributor to Cornerstone

A season ago, Alexander, a transfer from Wake Forest, was part of the rotation — learning, adjusting, and contributing within a talented receiver room. In his debut season at Ole Miss, he emerged as the team’s third-leading receiver behind Harrison Wallace III and De’Zhaun Stribling, hauling in 44 receptions for 684 yards and two touchdowns.

This spring, he returns as one of the most experienced and proven voices in that group.

“It honestly reminds me of last year,” Alexander said. “A bunch of new guys coming in and one returning guy with stats… that’s kind of me this year.”

With turnover reshaping the room, Alexander has embraced the responsibility of helping set the standard for newcomers — something he once had to navigate himself.

“Just stepping into that role, being a leader, showing the new guys the ropes, what the standard is supposed to be done like,” he said. “I know how it was coming in as a transfer, trying to learn a new system.”

And from his perspective, the unit isn’t rebuilding — it’s evolving.

Deuce Alexander on the Rebels’ WR room

Choosing to Stay, Choosing a Legacy

In today’s transfer portal era, staying put can say as much as leaving. For Alexander, the decision was never complicated.

Deuce Alexander on staying at Ole Miss

The addition of offensive coordinator John David Baker has only reinforced that confidence, particularly in how the offense is structured and communicated.

“He’s just a great guy,” Alexander said. “Some OCs, you might be kind of scared to say something to them but with him, it’s easy. We talk ball all the time. Plays, defenses, all that.”

Continuity, Chemistry, and Opportunity

With quarterback Trinidad Chambliss returning, Alexander sees an opportunity for the offense to take another step forward through continuity.

“I was actually in treatment watching the whole trial,” Alexander said of the hearing in Lafayette County Chancery Court that determined Chambliss would get a preliminary injunction allowing him to play. “So it was great to hear that he got the year.”

Now entering their second season together, the expectation is growth — not just individually, but collectively.

“Me and him, this is our second year together,” Alexander said. “The chemistry, the time—it’s all going to come together. It’s going to click.”

Fuel from the Finish

For all the optimism surrounding this year’s group, last season still lingers — particularly how close Ole Miss came to something bigger en route to a school-record 13 wins and a college football playoff seminfinal game.

“It’s definitely motivation,” Alexander said. “Getting that far and not finishing hurt a little bit.”

He remembers exactly how it felt in the moment.

“I was like, ‘Dang, we really this close to going to a national championship?’” he said. “As a kid, you always dream that.”

Even reaching that stage was new territory.

Deuce Alexander on postseason last year

Now, the mindset has shifted.

“We use that as motivation every day,” he said. “Just keep pushing forward, do better, go further than we did last year.”

Evolving as a Leader

Leadership hasn’t always come naturally for Alexander, but it’s becoming a larger part of his identity — especially with younger players entering the room.

“That’s my young guy,” Alexander said of teammate Caleb Cunningham. “I try to take him under my wing.”

But for Alexander, leadership comes with accountability.

“I’m hard on him because I see a lot in him,” he said. “I’m not one of those guys that’s going to be like, ‘Nah, you good.’ Nah, I’m going to stay on him.”

Why?

“Because I see it,” Alexander said. “He can be the next great here.”

At the same time, he’s being pushed to grow in his own leadership style.

“I’m not really a vocal leader,” Alexander admitted.

But that’s changing.

“They definitely want me to voice myself more,” he said. “Even on special teams—they named me a captain.”

That push is helping him expand beyond his comfort zone.

“That just helps me get my voice out more,” Alexander said. “They’re getting me out of my comfort zone, and I feel like that helps me a lot.”

A System That Fits

On the field, the transition to a new offensive coordinator has brought subtle changes, but nothing overwhelming.

“It’s definitely some differences,” Alexander said. “Two different play-callers, two different mindsets.”

Still, the overall structure has allowed for a smooth adjustment.

“The system is kind of the same,” he said. “It’s not as hard to pick up on. It’s a little simpler to me.”

What stands out most is how the offense creates space and opportunity.

“We space things out more,” Alexander said. “More route concepts, things like that. It’s an adjustment, but it’s good.”

Eyes Ahead

When asked which game he’s most looking forward to, Alexander didn’t need to say much.

“You know which one,” he said.

He didn’t elaborate — he didn’t have to. The Rebels have a September 19th matchup with LSU and its head coach, the former coach at Ole Miss.

But for Alexander, the focus isn’t on a single opponent. It’s on something bigger — something he’s been building toward since the moment he asked for that No. 1 jersey.

“Just competing every day,” he said. “Leaving my mark.”

And if this spring is any indication, Deuce Alexander is stepping into more than just a number — he’s stepping into ownership of the moment. With experience behind him, expectations in front of him, and a clear sense of purpose driving him, Alexander isn’t waiting for his legacy to take shape. He’s building it, one rep at a time.