Skip to main content
Versatile Offense for 2023

Rebels Add Veteran DB Via Transfer Portal In FAU's Teja Young

Ole Miss adds another former All-Conference USA player to its roster prior to the start of the 2023 season.

In this story:

Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss Rebels

A Young duo could be roaming Ole Miss' secondary in 2023. And no, not "young" in age. 

Florida Atlantic defensive back Teja Young officially pledged his commitment to the Rebels Tuesday, posting his pledge to Twitter account. Young elected to enter the transfer portal last month after working out under new coach Tom Herman. 

A former commit under then-Owls and current Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, Young registered 42 tackles and seven interceptions in 31 games over the past three seasons. Since 2020, he's also recorded four pick-sixes, the most in FAU history. 

Last season for the Owls, Young recorded 48 tackles, a forced fumble and two interceptions. His best season came in 2021 when he registered a career-high 56 tackles and three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. For his efforts, he garnered first-team All-Conference USA honors. 

The addition of Young should provide more than just veterans to a defense that ranked 55th nationally in coverage last season (219.8 yards per game). Ole Miss allowed 22 touchdowns through the air in 2022 and only totaled eight interceptions, the fifth-fewest among SEC teams. 

Young should pair opposite former transfer Isheem Young, who led the secondary in tackles (66) after spending two seasons at Iowa State. The Rebels will also be under new defensive direction by former Alabama coordinator Pete Golding. 

Ole Miss continues to add veteran talent via the portal entering summer workouts. Last weekend, former UTSA and first-team All-C-USA receiver Zakhari Franklin committed to the program after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. 

Young's commitment marks the third former C-USA first-team player to join the Rebels following an 8-5 season in Oxford. Along with Young and Franklin, Ole Miss added former Louisiana Tech receiver Tre Harris. 

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Rebels? Click Here.

Follow The Grove Report On Facebook and Twitter.

Want even more Ole Miss Rebels News? Check out the SI.com team page here.

© 2024 ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators’ opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Gambling content intended for 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.