Ole Miss Football Position Group Previews - Defensive Line (2024)

Ole Miss's defensive line is going to wreck havoc this season. The freshman Suntarine Perkins taken out by Jared Ivey. And thrown down to 32 by J.J. Pegues. Walter Nolen -- What a hit by Princely. And, again, it's Zxavian Harris. Lane Kiffin said in the off season that this defensive line will be a game changer this season. And he's right. This defensive line that's combined for 219 games, 449 tackles, 87 tackles for loss and 42 1/2 sacks. That's probably why pro football focus has Ole Miss's defensive line ranked as the fifth best in the nation and the second best in the SEC behind Georgia. With returners like J.J. Pegues, Jared Ivey and high-level transfers like Princely Umanmielen and Walter Nolen, this unit is set to be a group of monsters that will keep opposing offenses running for their lives. Ivey led the defensive line with a career best 46 tackles and 11 1/2 tackles for loss last season and tied the team's high five and a half sacks. Ivey recovered a career high two fumbles and who could forget his game-sealing TD score at Tulane. Grabbed by Ivey, he's going down the sidelines. Big guy's going to score a TD! Big man touchdown! Pegues was right behind Ivey with the career best 42 tackles, eight of them for loss and three and a half sacks, all of which were career bests for Pegues. But who could forget Pegues' efforts at running back? Yes, running back. Back to his high school roots at Oxford High School, he rushed four times for 13 yards late in the season. And, who knows, we might see more of it -- actually, maybe we should have saved that for the running backs video. Akelo Stone had an impressive first season with the Rebels in 2023. Stone transferred after three seasons at Georgia Tech and, statistically, had his best season with the Rebels. Stone was Ole Miss's third-rated defender per PFF with a 77.2 grade, as well as second best in run defense at 79.4. That was best among Ole Miss defensive linemen last year. Stone finished 2023 with 27 total tackles, two and a half of them for loss, two and a half sacks and one forced fumble to seal Ole Miss' Peach Bowl win versus Penn State's. The ball comes out. It's on the turf and the Rebels recover it at the 47-yard line! Switching over from linebacker to the defensive line this season is sophomore Suntarine Perkins who earned SCCL freshman team honors last year. He's there! He's taken down! Ashford pumps, chased and taken down, sacked by Perkins, the true freshman. Perkins finished his freshman season with 38 tackles, four sacks and five and a half tackles for loss. And, earlier this summer, ESPN tapped Perkins as the number four top 10 breakout player for this upcoming season. The last starter that returns on the defensive line is junior Zxavian Harris, who shined at both defense and special teams. The Canton, Mississippi native recorded their career best 30 tackles, three and a half tackles for loss, one sack and three blocked field goals. And we'll never forget this one that clinched the win versus Texas A&M. Snaps and a kick. And it looks like it's short. Let's see. It is no good! No good! The Rebels win it at Hemingway! The portal splashes of the off season for Ole Miss for Texas A&M junior transfer Walter Nolen. Florida senior transfer Princely Umanmielen and Jacksonville States Chris Hardie all had career best seasons in 2023. Umanmielen led Florida with a career high 11 1/2 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 17 quarterback hurries and he tied his career best in tackles with 39. Umanmielen was named as the Coaches All SEC Team last season and earned APL SEC second team. Nolan comes to Ole Miss after a career best year at Texas A&M. He recorded 37 tackles and was third on the team with four sacks. Rebel fans have seen him in action against Ole Miss in the past. Nolan recorded three tackles against Ole Miss last year and five tackles versus the Rebels in 2022. Hardie was a cheat code down at Jacksonville State. In five seasons, he totaled 162 tackles, 462 RFLs and 21 1/2 sacks. Of course, Hardie was a Conference USA first teamer in 2023 CUSA Defensive Lineman of the Year. It makes sense why PFF ranked this the nation's fifth best defensive line of the country. And you won't want to miss it. Kickoff is quickly approaching. And you'll want to see the havoc these men wreck in person. Enjoy it while it lasts, enjoy while it lasts. Yes, sir.