OXFORD —Ole Miss footballhas completed its first spring under the direction of coachPete Golding.
The Rebels are coming off a chaotic, successful season that featured a coaching change and a run to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
The biggest offseason question was settled in a legal battle. Star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss isset to returnafter suing the NCAA.
Ole Missis bringing in the No. 2-ranked transfer portal class and is shaping up to be a contender in 2026. Spring practice was the start of depth chart battles.
Here's what we don't know about Ole Miss football after spring practice.
Will Pete Golding, Ole Miss be penalized for tampering?
One storyline that is carrying on through the offseason is out of Ole Miss' control.
On Jan. 23, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said the Rebels had broken the rules in their transfer portal recruiting of linebacker Luke Ferrelli. He is a transfer from Cal who enrolled atClemsonand began practicing, according to Swinney, before flipping to the Rebels.
Golding was later asked if Swinney's allegations were correct.
"There's two sides to every story," Golding said. "I'm not going to sit up here and use the podium as a grandstand and all of that. That's why there is enforcement. That's why we have our compliance office. They do all that."
Swinney said he submitted his claims to the NCAA. The NCAA has not yet issued a ruling.Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reportedon March 12 that Big Ten executives want to pause tampering cases until rules can be modernized, but the NCAA is not stopping enforcement.
There isprecedentfor punishment ranging from probation and fines to recruiting restrictions and suspensions.
Who will lead Ole Miss in sacks after Princewill Umanmielen transferred?
There's no clear top pass rusher for the Rebels, but the roster is stocked with contenders. Will one emerge as a game-wrecker?
Although Princewill Umanmielen transferred to LSU after leading the Rebels with nine sacks, the next three with the most sacks return in Kam Franklin (5), Will Echoles (5) and Suntarine Perkins (4.5).
The transfer portal provided an infusion of edge rushing talent. Oregon's Blake Purchase (2 sacks in 2025), Jonathan Maldonado (5) and Alabama's Jordan Renaud are big parts of the No. 2-ranked transfer portal class.
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Golding, a longtime defensive coordinator, confirmed he will still call defensive plays in 2026.
Who is the backup quarterback behind Trinidad Chambliss?
Chambliss is returning, but it's a new-look quarterback room behind him.
Redshirt freshman Deuce Knight, a former five-star recruit from Lucedale, transferred from Auburn. Senior Walker Howard is back in Oxford for a second time. He played for Ole Miss from 2023-24 before transferring to Louisiana in 2025. He missed most of the season with anoblique injury.
Sophomore AJ Maddox, who played as a backup in two games in 2025, returns, along with sophomore Maealiuaki Smith, freshman Rees Wise, Central Arkansas transfer quarterback Jack Patterson and Tennessee State transfer George Hamsley.
Goldingdid not announce a backupduring spring practice. He said Knight continued to flash in camp, and that Howard is a strong veteran leader. Golding said Maddox needs to find more consistency.
How will Pete Golding handle discipline after Ole Miss football arrests?
Three Ole Miss football players have been arrested in the last two weeks.
LSU transfer offensive lineman Carius Curne wasarrested in Arkansason April 25 and faced six charges.
Curne was guilty on a no-contest plea of reckless driving, fleeing on foot and speeding, according to court records. The other three charges of improper passing (driving on the shoulder), possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substancewere dropped. Curne paid a fine of $2,150.
Two 2026 signees − quarterbackRees Wise, 18, and running backDamarius Yates, 19 − werecharged with DUIand reckless driving on May 3, according to the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department arrest docket. Yates also was charged with speeding.
Curne projected to have the biggest role of the three in the 2026 season. He is a contender to earn one of the vacated starting tackle jobs.
There's a lot of time before the season begins for any in-house discipline.
"Obviously it's a legal matter," Golding said of Curne's case on April 27. "We're still gathering information on it. Really can't speak on that right now. We'll let the legal process run its course and see what happens."
Ole Miss has declined comment on the Wise and Yates arrests.
Sam Hutchens coversOle Missfor the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger:Ole Miss football, Pete Golding questions after spring practice
OXFORD —Ole Miss footballhas completed its first spring under the direction of coachPete Golding. The Rebels are coming off a cha...
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