Pete Golding's appointment as the Ole Miss Rebels' defensive coordinator has helped raise the profile of the program over the past year, and he added another feather to his cap on Tuesday.
That's when ESPN released its rankings of future college football defenses, and the Rebels made the list at No. 19. This isn't an elite slot, but it shows that Ole Miss' defense in particular has improved. After an aggressive attack in the transfer portal this offseason.
You can view an excerpt from the work below.
“After finishing 9th in the AP and winning the Peach Bowl, Ole Miss is looking to make its first CFP appearance. With a massive push in the offseason transfer portal, ESPN's top-rated Texas A&M line Mann, Walter Nolen, and 2022 recruits Edge Princely Umanmielen (Florida), linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (Arkansas), safety Yum Banks (South Alabama).
Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin (left) and defensive coordinator Pete Golding.
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
The article goes on to mention the improvements Goulding has made in Ole Miss' prep recruiting world, signing ESPN 300 players like Cam Franklin and Geoffrey Rush.
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Don't get me wrong. As is often the case with Lane Kiffin's teams, offense will remain the centerpiece for the Rebels entering the 2024 season. But Goulding's efforts both in the portal and in recruiting will make a huge difference in what Ole Miss' defense will look like this fall, and his talents as an on-field coach will only increase that reputation.
The Rebels are currently in the midst of spring practice, which concludes Saturday with the Globe Bowl Game, a series of 7-on-7 games and skills competitions between Ole Miss players at Vought-Hemingway Stadium. The game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Central Time and will be televised on SEC Network+.
