Ole Miss Football, Oregon Ducks, Arkansas Razorbacks Tied to Coveted Transfer Safety

Pete Golding and Co. are looking to remain hot in the Transfer Portal, linked to coveted defensive back.

Southern Miss Golden Eagles safety Ian Foster (3) and cornerback Josh Moten (1) react after a touchdown against the Appalachian State Mountaineers during the second quarter at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Sept. 13, 2025. | Matt Bush/Special to the Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Southern Miss Golden Eagles defensive back Ian Foster has narrowed his focus to five schools with Pete Golding and the Ole Miss Rebels firmly in the race for his services.

Foster checks in as a Top-20 safety in the NCAA Transfer Portal with a myriad of schools in pursuit of the Magnolia State native; including Golding and the Ole Miss coaching staff.

The 5-foot-10, 195-pounder has trimmed his list to five schools with Arkansas Razorbacks, Oregon Ducks, Kansas State Wildcats, and Memphis Tigers joining the Ole Miss Rebels as finalists.

According to multiple reports, Foster has also locked in a visit schedule with Ole Miss set to get one this upcoming week:

Memphis: Jan. 3-4th
Kansas State: Jan. 5th
Houston: Jan. 7th
Ole Miss: Jan. 11th
Oregon: TBD
Arkansas: TBD

BREAKING: Southern Miss Safety Ian Foster is down to Arkansas, Oregon, Ole Miss, Kansas St. & Memphis with plans to visit all 5 & some already set, his agent tells me.

Memphis: Jan. 3-4th
Kansas State: Jan. 5th
Houston: Jan. 7th
Ole Miss: Jan. 11th
Oregon: TBD
Arkansas: TBD… pic.twitter.com/Isk6VsUWZM

— JGPCFB (@jgpvisuals) January 4, 2026

Foster enters the portal after earning All-Sun Belt honors as a starting safety for Southern Miss this season where he tallied 75 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, three interceptions, two return touchdowns and 10 pass breakups.

The Mississippi native also led the country in interception return yardage and touchdowns after a stellar campaign in 2025.

Now, the former Marshall signee - who transferred to Southern Miss after Charles Huff made the move as well - will have two seasons of eligibility at his next destination with Ole Miss in the race alongside multiple premier programs.

Ole Miss is on a heater to open the NCAA Transfer Portal with the program landing four commitments across a 24-hour stretch this weekend - including Florida defensive back Sharif Denson.

The experienced safety has plenty of SEC experience across his three seasons in Gainesville where he was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team as well as a Freshman All-American by ESPN in 2023.

New: Pete Golding and the Ole Miss Rebels are red-hot on the recruiting trail with the program now landing a commitment from Florida Gators defensive back Sharif Denson on Sunday.

Golding and Co. bring in the talented defender with SEC experience.

More: https://t.co/fJLOIIJKun pic.twitter.com/ozwBW3xONB

— Ole Miss Rebels On SI (@OleMissOnSI) January 4, 2026

Denson has been one of Florida's key contributors on defense after recording 168 tackles, 12 pass deflections, three interceptions, and one sack across three seasons after starting in 34 consecutive games for the Gators.

Now, he makes his move to Oxford with an opportunity to make an immediate impact in the defensive backfield for Golding and Co. as the roster gets rebuilt this month.

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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.