The Grove Report

Ole Miss Football and FSU Seminoles 'Emerging' for Prized Transfer Defensive Weapon

Golding and Co continue picking up steam on the recruiting scene, Transfer Portal officially open for business as targets emerge.
Zack Nagy|
Courtesy of Chris Jones on X.

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Pete Golding and the Ole Miss Rebels are emerging as serious threats for multiple coveted players in the NCAA Transfer Portal with the window officially opening on Friday.

In what will be a pivotal two-week stretch across college football, Golding and Co. will be navigating a chaotic period with the program also alive in postseason play.

As the "Big Board" takes shape for the Ole Miss Rebels, Southern Miss Golden Eages linebacker Chris Jones has become a priority target for the program.

According to Rivals, the Ole Miss Rebels and Florida State Seminoles are emerging as the two teams to watch in his process as his recruitment explodes on Day 1 of the window.

The Southern Miss defensive weapon has earned offers from the likes of Ole Miss, Florida State, Kentucky, Kansas State, Mississippi State, and Houston, among others, across the first day of the two-week window.

But Golding and Co. are picking up steam for the 6-foot-3, 230-pounder that is coming off of an all-conference season in Hattiesburg (Miss.).

Jones is fresh off a dominant sophomore campaign for the Golden Eagles where he logged 135 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble.

That was highest tackle total in the Sun Belt where it ultimately earned him first-team All-Conference honors.

Now, Ole Miss is emerging as a team to watch for the prized linebacker as his recruitment process begins on Day 1 of the Transfer Portal window.

The Rebels are also picking up momentum for Florida Gators defensive lineman Michai Boireau with the program eyeing a visit, according to CBS Sports.

Boireau, a 6-foot-5, 349-pounder out of the Peach State appeared in nine games across the 2025 season - finishing with 20 total tackles, including seven solo tackles, two sack and an interception.

Arkansas, Georgia Tech, and Kentucky are also in the mix for the SEC transfer where the Ole Miss Rebels will look to get him in quickly for a trip to Oxford as the NCAA Transfer Portal heats up.

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and Ole Miss Rebels On SI: @OleMissOnSI for all coverage surrounding the Ole Miss program.

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Zack Nagy
ZACK NAGY

Zack Nagy is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Ole Miss Rebels On SI, a Sports Illustrated Publication. Nagy has covered Rebel Football, Baseball, Basketball and Recruiting, looking to keep readers updated on anything and everything involving Ole Miss athletics. Nagy has covered the Southeastern Conference for over half a decade after being born and raised in New Orleans (La.).

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