Made an immediate impact in his first season at Ole Miss in 2023, improving in almost every statistical category. Notably, rushing yards allowed per game dropped from 168.0 in 2022 to 137.2 this season. His defense was pivotal in the Rebels’ 8-1 start and top-10 national ranking. Ole Miss ranks fifth nationally in sacks (3.4/game) and 13th in tackles for loss (7.3/game). The Rebels held 3 straight SEC opponents under 300 total yards for the first time since 2009 and a combined 437 passing yards over that stretch. Ole Miss picked off two passes apiece in that stretch of three games, marking the first time since 2014 that the Rebels came down with multiple picks in three consecutive games. As linebackers coach, he quickly helped develop Suntarine Perkins into an instant-impact player and one of the top young defenders in the nation. Perkins, who leads all SEC freshmen in sacks, was an On3 Midseason Freshman All-American and SEC Co-Freshman of the Week following the Auburn win. Overall, the Ole Miss defense produced eight SEC Player of the Week award winners through nine games.
