Ole Miss’ New-Look Pass Rush is Replacing Portal Losses Fast

Ole Miss looks to have more success getting to the quarterback with the help of some new faces in 2026.

Ole Miss transfer defensive end Jonathan Maldonado during a fall camp practice rep against the second-team offense (2026). | Ole Miss Athletics

Ole Miss didn’t drop off in many areas from 2024 to 2025, as evident by its 13-2 record and run to the national semifinals, but there was one clear step backwards.

In 15 games last season the Rebels totaled 33 sacks, averaging 2.2 per game, good for 29th in the country. The year prior, Ole Miss wreaked havoc in the trenches as it notched 52 sacks as a team, averaging 4.0 per game, which was good for third-most in the nation. 

Princewill Umanmielen was the only Rebel from a year ago to register more than six sacks, as he finished his only season at Ole Miss with nine sacks. Da’Shawn Womack also added two sacks on the year, which was fifth-most on the team. Both elected to enter the transfer portal and found new homes at LSU and Auburn. 

However, despite the losses, Ole Miss wasn't initially concerned much. It spent the necessary finances to replace both and as practices have continued this month, the Rebels seem confident that their replacements could end up equaling an eventual upgrade on the field. Through the portal Ole Miss signed edge rushers Jordan Renaud, Blake Purchase and Jonathan Maldonado. 

The Rebels also retained notable rushers off the edge in Suntarine Perkins, Kam Franklin and brought in notable true freshman Landon Barnes.  

What the Rebels think

Oregon outside linebacker Blake Purchase pressures Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the Oregon Ducks host the Indiana Hoosiers Oct. 11, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

“I think it’s looking dangerous. I think it’s looking really dangerous, especially with just the depth we have,” Maldonado said following Friday’s practice. “You look at all the different rushers we have and the different skill sets and mindsets that we have. We have big guys with power, we have speed guys, but I think the main thing is the depth. You could just rotate guys in, having fresh legs over and over rushing the passer — especially with the guys that we have — I’m telling you, it’s looking dangerous.”

Through his six seasons in Oxford, defensive line coach Randall Joyner has preferred to run a consistent rotation along his unit and the Nevadad transfer is expected to play a big part in during 2026. In his last two seasons at Nevada, Maldonado tallied 55 tackles, five pass deflections, 6.5 sacks and a pick-six. 

“I think my length is huge as far as hand fighting and stuff like that. I can get into the offensive linemen’s chest really fast, probably before they touch me,” Maldonado explained of skill set. “Besides that I got good speed and good bend off the edge, especially for how tall I am. Then I got a good array of moves too. I think I’m pretty smart as well. I’ve been playing football since I was five and basically have played every position. I just know the game of football and I think I could set up different moves in any situation.”

Star defensive tackle Will Echoles recently had high praise for Blake Purchase, reportedly saying the Oregon transfer has the chance to lead the Southeastern Conference in sacks this upcoming season.  

“That’s big, having confidence in your teammates. Somebody like Will, that’s probably one of the best guys on the team so him being excited about me — I take that as a big compliment,” Purchase added. “With my game, just being able to get off the edge (and) speed off the ball and having a lot of different moves I could use at the top of the rush. That’s probably the big part of my game.”

Franklin (5.0) and Perkins (4.5) finished second and third in team sacks last season. Perkins is looking to get back to a more disruptive role as the one he had in 2024, when he tied for the team-lead in sacks with 10.5.   

Defensive coordinator Bryan Brown drew comparisons from the defensive line he saw up close in 2024, to the one the Rebels currently have, earlier this month.    

“That group in ‘24 was really talented and I think this group has a lot of talent. I think we got a little bit more depth, especially up front,” Brown said this month. “I wouldn’t say, right now, they’re going to be better than that group, but we have a chance to be if we do things right and do our job and execute at a high level. But we do have a chance to be better than that group and we have a little bit more depth than that ‘24 group.”

Between Ole Miss’ returnees and newcomers, the Rebels’ edge rushers are expected to get in the offensive backfield more than they did last season.

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