WATCH: Heisman winner rocked among career highlights for Ole Miss’ three NFL draftees
Ole Miss footballers Deantre Prince, Cedric Johnson and Daijahn Anthony were all selected on the final day of the 2024 NFL Draft last week.
Prince went to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round (No. 154 overall). The Cincinnati Bengals scooped up Johnson and Anthony in the sixth and seventh rounds, respectively.
Johnson came off the board at No. 214, while Anthony went at No. 224.
“I’m looking forward to competing every play,” Prince said during a zoom call with local reporters. “I don’t care who’s across from me or who I’ve got to hold. I’m ready to compete and do anything I have to do make sure it’s an incompletion or a pick or a fumble or anything. Make sure offense gets the ball back.”
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Prince was a three-year starter at cornerback for the Rebels.
He was one of the top cover corners in the SEC last season, finishing with 5.0 tackles for loss, his only career sack and five pass breakups.
He became the highest-drafted Ole Miss defensive back in nearly a decade and the best since All-American corner Senquez Golson. The Pittsburgh Steelers landed Golson in the second round (No. 56 overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Prince played in 51 career games at Ole Miss, including 36 starts. He totaled 145 tackles (101 solo), 6.0 TFLs, one sack, six interceptions, 21 PBUs and two forced fumbles. Prince was an NFL Combine invitee and played in the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Johnson and Anthony were Combine participants, too. Johnson was the 2023 Chucky Mullins Award winner. He played in 46 games as a Rebel with 29 starts.
Johnson recorded 111 total tackles (56 solo), 22.0 TFLs, 19.0 sacks, 27 QB hurries, four PBUs, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He ended his time in Oxford tied for fifth all-time in sacks.
“I hope to bring my speed, my strength, my versatility to the team,” Johnson said. “I’m just simply ready to be a part of it. I don’t even know too much to say, really. I’m just excited to bring everything I can.”
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Anthony transferred in from Liberty last off-season.
He had the fourth-most tackles (61, 28 solo) and led all Rebels with eight PBUs. Anthony was tied for the team lead in interceptions (3).
“I appreciate his story and why he did all the things that he did to get to where he’s at today,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. “And to have his named called on draft night I think is special to him.”
But Anthony is probably most remembered for his hit against LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels in a 55-49 Ole Miss win in September.
Daniels ended up winning the Heisman Trophy and was drafted No. 2 overall by the Washington Commanders.
Anthony’s hit is one of the many career highlights of the trio featured in the handful of included videos. All were provided by Ole Miss Athletics.
