Tah'j Butler Remembers Ole Miss Teammate Corey Adams as 'One of My Best Friends'

The Ole Miss Rebels are expected to have a strong linebacker room this fall, and a huge part of that system will be Georgia Tech transfer Tah'j Butler.

Butler, a native of New Orleans, did not originally go for Ole Miss out of high school, but this offseason, he felt that it was time for a new challege, so he jumped to the SEC. According to comments he made in a press conference last week, a big part of Butler's decision came down to one his late friend (and former Ole Miss defender) Corey Adams made during his recruitment.

"First off, I went to Edna Karr High School with Corey Adams, so he was one of my best friends," Butler said. "That was a part of it, as well. We always talked about going to the same school. And then [Pete Golding] and my high school head coach, they've got a good relationship. It was the most comfortable decision and felt like the best decision for me."

Adams was killed last July in a shooting in Cordova, Tennessee, and never saw action on the field for the Rebels in what would have been his freshman season.

During their high school days, Adams and Butler were competitive with one another on the Edna Karr football roster, and although their recruitment paths did not lead them to the same school at the same time, both players ended up at Ole Miss, before it was all said and done.

"Me and Corey's relationship, I was a year ahead of him," Butler said, "so once he got to college, his first day up here, he called me. He's sending me the schedule, and I'm like, 'Yes, it's telling you the times to go to the places, and stuff like that.' In high school, Corey always looked up to me. We were always competing trying to see who could finish first, be the strongest, the best, the fastest, all that.

Butler is expected to be a key in the Rebels' revamped defense in 2026, one that is hoping to help lead the Rebels back to the College Football Playoff for the second time in as many seasons under first-year head coach Pete Golding. While playing at Georgia Tech, Butler appeared in all 26 games for the Yellow Jackets over the course of two seasons, racking up 34 total tackles, three TFLs and one interception.

The former ACC standout is not the only transfer addition for Golding this offseason, however. The Rebels also added Keaton Thomas (Baylor) and Luke Ferrelli (California) to the mix, and pairing this linebacker corps with an already-formidable defensive line is expected to give the Rebels a real chance to cause problems for opposing offenses this fall.

With fall camp underway, Butler has spent his time adjusting to a new defensive scheme, one he feels he can thrive in.

"I just felt like I needed a better opportunity. Once I hit the portal, Coach Pete called me, and it just felt like we had a good conversation. Once I came on my visit, watching the film, going over this scheme, I felt like it was going to fit me well, which I feel like it does. I can play more downhill, more physical."

The Rebels are set to open their season on Sept. 6 at a neutral site in Nashville against the Louisville Cardinals. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on ABC.

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