Ex-Tennessee Volunteers Safety Tamarion McDonald Announces Commitment To Ole Miss Rebels
OXFORD, Miss. -- There will be no rest for Ole Miss Rebels' coaches Lane Kiffin and Pete Golding this offseason when it comes to recruitment. The Rebels picked up their seventh transfer commit of the first portal cycle on Saturday afternoon when former Tennessee Volunteers safety Tamarion McDonald announced his pledge to Ole Miss via social media.
You can find McDonald's announcement here. The former three-star recruit's announcement comes less than 24 hours after the Rebels earned a commitment from the No. 3 player in the portal, former Florida Gators edge Princely Umanmielen.
Tennessee defensive back Tamarion McDonald (12) celebrates on the field during a football game between Tennessee and Austin Peay at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
© Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Rebels are in the process of rejuvenating their secondary, as McDonald is the fourth defensive back recruited so far. The Memphis, Tenn., native will be a welcome addition to Golding's defense, as the former Vol totaled 95 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, 10 pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in the last two seasons.
In four years at Tennessee, McDonald registered 115 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, one sack, four interceptions, 12 pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. McDonald demonstrated tremendous versatility at safety and on special teams for the Vols, serving at Tennesse's STAR position, meaning he was a hybrid safety who could also line up at outside linebacker - think of Ladarius Tennison.
According to On3 rankings, McDonald was rated as the No. 16 player in the state of Tennessee and the No. 43 safety in the 2020 recruitment cycle.
The Rebels have been dominating the portal since it opened for business a week ago, and have so far recruited the No. 3 transfer class in the nation, per On3.
