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Perkins, Playoff Odds and a Reloaded Roster: Ole Miss eyes a big 2025

Ben Garrettby:Ben Garrett•06/04/25•

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Ole Miss EDGE Suntarine Perkins (Photo credit: USA Today Images)

Ole Miss football has 30.7 percent odds to make the 2026 College Football Playoff, according to the ESPN FPI.

The Rebels last season won 10 games for the third time in four years. They’re replacing over 70 percent of their starting lineup. However, their ceiling remains high for myriad reasons, not the least of which the latest top-ranked transfer haul for sixth-year head coach Lane Kiffin and Co.

But Ole Miss isn’t lacking for returning star power, either. A pair of juniors will lead both sides of the ball. Cayden Lee is one of the SEC’s most productive returning wide receivers. Suntarine Perkins made his star turn last season as an All-American. 

Perkins has positioned himself as a potential first-round NFL Draft selection as a result.

CBS Sports on Wednesday shook up its latest mock. Four quarterbacks were included in the first round. Perkins was, too, but at No. 29 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The projection only builds on an off-season of momentum for Perkins. 

Todd McShay in May sent Perkins to the Cincinnati Bengals at pick No. 26. Perkins was recently ranked by Lindy’s Magazine as the top linebacker in the country. 

Perkins last season played in all 13 games for the Rebels and started eight — all at defensive end. He helped anchor the best rush defense in the nation and one of the best defenses in Ole Miss history.

Ole Miss set new school records for tackles for loss (120) and sacks (52). The Rebels led the nation — and Perkins tied for the team lead — in both categories. He had 10.5 sacks and 14 TFLs. He was fourth in total tackles (60) and added nine quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

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Perkins will anchor an overhauled Ole Miss defense.

The Rebels lost, among others, leading tackler Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul, shutdown cornerback Trey Amos, defensive tackles Walter Nolen and JJ Pegues and defensive ends Princely Umanmielen and Jared Ivey. Nolen was the first Rebel selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. He was taken in the first round (No. 17) by the Arizona Cardinals. 

Ole Miss is still plenty talented. TJ Dottery finished second only to Paul in tackles and returns. Ole Miss is high on its second-year crop of defensive linemen: Kam Franklin, William Echoles and others. The Rebels also bring back veteran defensive tackles Zxavian Harris and Jamarious Brown. They signed a pair of EDGE transfers in Da’Shawn Womack (LSU) and Princewill Umanmielen (Nebraska).

Perkins missed all of spring football practices recovering from surgery for a labrum injury to his shoulder. Dottery was out, too. Ole Miss signed three transfers: Missouri State’s Tahj Chambers, Marshall’s Jaden Yates and Grambling’s Andrew Jones.

“It’s been great for those new guys,” Kiffin said. “Three new guys that have played a lot in there. So, that’s been a really good opportunity for them. Tyler Banks has been really good for us. We just look at the positives of it, and when [Dottery and Perkins] are back, they’ll be back.”

On3’s Ari Wasserman has Perkins as a way-too-early 2025 All-American. 

From Wasserman: Though Perkins had shoulder surgery in January, he’ll be full-go by the fall. What does full-go look like for opposing offenses? Torture. Though he doesn’t have the size as a typical linebacker, Perkins flies all over the field. Last year he had 14 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. If he gets better next year — which he will — he’s going to be one of the biggest defensive stars in the sport.

The Rebels will open the 2025 season at home against Georgia State on August 30.

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