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Will Power: Furniss makes it official, returns to help anchor Rebel lineup

Ben Garrettby: Ben Garrett07/15/25SpiritBen
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Ole Miss slugging first baseman Will Furniss (Photo credit: Will Furniss/Instagram)

Will Furniss told Rebel Grove last week there was a ’99.5 percent’ chance he was returning for his senior Ole Miss season.

Furniss made his return official on Tuesday. 

Ole Miss had eight players selected in the 2025 MLB Draft: Mason Morris, Luke Hill, Will McCausland, Riley Maddox, Mason Nichols, Connor Spencer, Patrick Galle, Brayden Jones and Sam Tookoian. Also drafted were high school signee Coy James and Grand Canyon transfer Grant Richardson. 

Spencer, Galle and others could return. Richardson and McCausland are expected to sign. Furniss last season hit .305 with 12 home runs over 58 games. 

“If I have another great year next year, I’ve proven I can be consistent,” Furniss said. “I’ve proven I can be a better hitter and continue to get better. In the eyes of scouts, that’s a great thing. You rise up a little bit in the draft. Maybe you don’t get more money, maybe you get the same, but whatever you get in NIL this year, you basically add it to your draft signing bonus.”

Ole Miss is bringing back Judd Utermark and Austin Fawley, too. 

Utermark last season hit 22 home runs to lead the team. Fawley was responsible for the most homers (21) of any catcher in the Mike Bianco era.

“Judd, a big thing for him, if he improves his swing-and-miss, he’s going to be a first-rounder next year,” Furniss said. “He’s a phenomenal athlete and power guy and a freak. He hit .300 with 22 home runs and was a great hitter, but he had a lot of strikeouts because he chases. 

“If he can fix his chase and walk a little bit, strike out a little bit less, he’ll hit .350 with 30 next year and be a first-round guy. It’s all just kind of better on yourself, really. I think he knows that. The ceiling is really high for him.”

RELATED: MLB Draft strips Ole Miss of arms — except the one that matters most

The Rebels added transfer outfielders Daniel Pacella (Illinois State) and Tristen Bissetta (Clemson) in the portal. 

Pacella is rooming with Furniss. He was a first-team All-MVC selection last season, starting 56 games in left field and totaling 59 RBI, the seventh-most in a single season in program history. 

Pacella had a team-best .355 batting average and 41 extra-base hits, including 20 home runs, the second-most in a single season for any Redbird. He finished second all-time at Illinois State in career home runs (45) and RBI (169). He was a back-to-back all-conference honoree.

Pacella chose Ole Miss over LSU, Mississippi State and others.

“Ole Miss baseball’s got an unbelievable experience waiting for me here,” Pacella told Rebel Grove. “Right now, it’s just living it every single day — getting to meet the guys [and] building the relationships. It’s two really good outcomes and I’m excited about it.

“It was the relationship with the coaching staff for me. The facilities are unbelievable. Some of the best in the country. But I think the relationships with coach [Mike] Clem[ent], coach [Mike] Bianco, that really meant a lot to me. When I met them in person and I saw how real they were and how much development they can give me, that’s what I wanted to be a part of.”

PROJECTED OLE MISS LINEUP

C Austin Fawley
1B Will Furniss
2B Dom Decker — transfer, Murray State
SS Owen Paino OR Brayden Randle
3B Judd Utermark
LF Daniel Pacella — transfer, Illinois State
CF Hayden Federico
RF Tristen Bissetta — transfer, Clemson
DH Topher Jones — transfer, Pearl River CC

Friday starter: Hunter Elliott
Saturday starter: Wil Libbert
Sunday starter: Cade Townsend OR Marko Sipila

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