Alright, let’s dive into this Ole Miss football saga, shall we? It seems like Lane Kiffin and his Rebels are going through some reshuffling on the defensive line, and folks, it’s interesting stuff.
So, Akelo Stone, a solid defensive lineman for Ole Miss, has decided it’s time to test the waters and enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. Ah, the enticing mystery of the transfer portal—a bit like the Tinder of college football, really.
Stone took his talents to Oxford after spending three seasons with Georgia Tech. During his time with the Rebels, he cracked double-digit appearances, playing in 11 games in 2024. He pulled off 15 tackles, 2.0 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, a quarterback hurry, and even threw in a pass breakup for good measure. In short? The dude knows how to cause a little chaos on the field.
Want to Learn More About Transferring?
Want to Learn More About Transferring?
Checkout our Guide to the Football Transfer Portal
Akelo’s time at Ole Miss saw him racking up 286 snaps, splitting his time between the defensive line and special teams. While his stat line isn’t astronomical, it’s respectable—with 27 tackles, a couple of sacks, and even a shiny forced fumble. That’s a pretty good run for two seasons.
But now, after his stint in Oxford, Akelo is getting some attention. According to On3 Sports, schools like North Carolina, Michigan State, and Florida State are eyeing him as a potential new recruit. It seems like he’s about to become quite the popular kid in the transfer lunchroom.
Here’s the twist: Ole Miss is in a bit of a rebuild phase too. They lost their entire starting d-line—wait, let me name-drop for dramatic effect: Walter Nolen, Princely Umanmielen, and Jared Ivey—all headed for the 2025 NFL Draft. These guys were big-time for the Rebels, and it’s no wonder they’re popping up high on those NFL Big Boards.
But fear not, Rebel fans. Ole Miss managed to scoop up top-10 transfers like Da’Shawn Womack from LSU and Princewill Umanmielen from Nebraska during the portal’s winter window. According to Princely Umanmielen, who’s now en route to the NFL, the coaching staff did a crackerjack job of filling those empty slots. And he’s not worried about a quarterback drop-off either, with Austin Simmons ready to lead. So, looks like all’s not lost in Oxford.
That’s the latest from Ole Miss territory. Who knew football could have more transfers and trades than an NBA off-season? Stay tuned. It’s all part of the game.
