Depth Chart Thursday: Projecting the Rebels' 2026 Roster Under Pete Golding

The Spring Ball & Recruiting 2026 season looks remarkably different in Oxford. With Pete Golding entering his first full season as head coach after replacing Lane Kiffin, the Ole Miss Rebels have adopted a decidedly business-like approach. The team even chose to scrap the traditional Grove Bowl spring scrimmage in favor of a 'Meet the Rebels' fan event on April 25. Without a spring game to evaluate, how does the two-deep stack up for Depth Chart Thursday?

The Quarterback Room

All eyes are on the signal-callers, where returning starter Trinidad Chambliss holds the QB1 spot. However, Chambliss is currently fighting a legal battle for an NCAA eligibility waiver to play in the 2026 season. Should his waiver be denied, offensive coordinator John David Baker—who returns to Oxford to lead the offense—has a reloaded depth chart to turn to. The Rebels secured the No. 2 transfer portal class in the nation, highlighted by Auburn transfer Deuce Knight. Walker Howard and AJ Maddox round out a deep quarterback room, successfully offsetting the transfer of Austin Simmons to Missouri.

Offensive Firepower and Protection

In the backfield, returning starter Kewan Lacy will be pushed by physical portal additions Joshua Dye (Southern Utah) and Makhi Frazier (Michigan State). Out wide, the Rebels must replace De'Zhaun Stribling, who departed for the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. To fill the void, Ole Miss successfully brought in Syracuse transfers Darrell Gill Jr. and Johntay Cook II.

Up front, the offensive line looks formidable. Key returning starters Patrick Kutas, Brycen Sanders, and Delano Townsend provide vital continuity. They are joined by highly touted LSU transfer Carius Curne. This group will be tasked with filling the shoes of Arizona Cardinals draftee Jayden Williams, while absorbing the portal loss of PJ Wilkins to Wisconsin.

Defensive Outlook

Co-defensive coordinators Marcus Woodson and Bryan Brown have serious SEC talent at their disposal. The defensive line is anchored by returning starters Will Echoles and Kam Franklin, while star linebacker Suntarine Perkins returns to patrol the second level. The secondary is particularly fierce; returning defensive backs Jaylon Braxton and Antonio Kite are back to lock down the perimeter, now fortified by Auburn transfer cornerback Jay Crawford. This newly shaped unit will easily account for the transfer portal exits of Chris Graves Jr. (Missouri) and Ricky Fletcher (Cal).

As Golding works to build on last year's Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff Semifinal appearance against Miami, this reconstructed depth chart proves the Rebels are ready to reload rather than rebuild.