A physically imposing front seven can dominate a football game. From pre-snap movements to post-snap physicality, elite-level ballplayers within the first few levels of a defense set the tone for all 11 players within the hashes.
For No. 10-ranked Ole Miss, you don’t have to squint to find NFL talent littered along the defensive front or at linebacker. While the transfer portal—like it has for many programs—played a large part in formulating the group currently present for the Rebels, the following players have each had a large part in leading Ole Miss on the defensive side of the football, serving as arguably the top front seven in the entire country.
Princely Umanmielen, EDGE
A transfer into Lane Kiffin’s program from Florida, Princely Umanmielen has seemingly used each week as a springboard for his correlating NFL Draft stock. Aligned primarily at the ‘BUCK’ spot, Umanmielen has asserted himself as one of the upcoming draft’s premier pass rushers. An intriguing blend of size and bend, Umanmielen has amassed 17 pressures in his last three starts (37 total) with 10 sacks total on the year, tied for first in the SEC with teammate Suntarine Perkins, who we’ll talk about below.
Walter Nolen, IDL
A former five-star recruit who initially made his mark in College Station as an Aggie, Walter Nolen has blossomed into a physically dominant interior presence in 2024. A true junior (third year) who is expected to hear his name called on night one in April, Nolen’s power, twitch, and technique in the ground game showcase a large man who moves like one of much smaller stature. He’s a nightmare to block in isolated situations, and projects as a player that will demand double teams early in his NFL career. While quiet on tape the last few weeks, his 13 combined pressures against South Carolina and LSU (back-to-back weeks) earlier this fall showcases the type of impact he can have.
Jared Ivey, EDGE
Unlike Umanmielen and Nolen who transferred in from big-time SEC programs, 2024 marks Jared Ivey’s third season in Oxford after spending his first two years in the ACC at Georgia Tech. With more isolated opportunities this fall following the arrival of his two aforementioned teammates, Ivey has amassed nine sacks so far in 2024, a career-high, with budding reviews from NFL teams over the last few months. Every bit of 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, Ivey’s vertical push and alignment versatility have made him a tall task to cover for even the best linemen the SEC has to offer.
J.J. Pegues, IDL
A big man who plays with nasty intentions, J.J. Pegues, an Auburn transfer, has rapidly become one of the class's premier run-stuffing linemen. At 325 pounds, however, don’t let his size sway from his lateral agility and nuance at the position on passing downs. He’s much more than just a hoss to move around the line of scrimmage, as highlighted by his 14 pressures in the last month. Whether he’s aligned to the outside shoulder of the guard (3-tech), outside shoulder of the center (1-tech), head up on the center (0), or out beyond the tackle at 5-tech (119 snaps in 2024), Pegues explosiveness behind his body mass has been a nightmare for teams to counter.
Chris Paul Jr., LB
Ten tackles for loss tells you just a little something about the type of instincts Chris Paul Jr. has at the position. Another former standout in the SEC (Arkansas), Paul has been a revelation at linebacker for the Rebels. While the defensive front has holstered much of the spotlight, and rightly so, Paul’s play just a few yards back has been as good as any linebacker in the SEC. He’s allowed just 5.9 yards per reception through 11 weeks and will remain a key cog for Ole Miss as they eye a trip to the College Football Playoff.
Suntarine Perkins, EDGE
And then there’s Perkins, a true sophomore who currently leads Ole Miss in pressures (39) as we creep toward the homestretch of the season. A four-star recruit out of nearby Raleigh, Mississippi, Perkins may be the best of the bunch. A freshman All-SEC selection and freshman All-American honoree in 2023, Perkins is just now beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. He has nearly tripled his pressure output from last fall (14), has doubled his sack total (five as a freshman), and has already quadrupled his QB hurries from last year with 29 through 11 games. He’s beyond his years at the position and has already received first-round buzz for the 2026 NFL Draft.
