Going Pro
Several players from the 2025 Ole Miss roster are now part of NFL teams, joining a growing list of professional players who got started as Rebels.
Written by Emily Welly | Graphics Provided by NFL Communications | Photos Provided by Ole Miss Athletics
Turn on an NFL game this fall, and you will likely find a former Ole Miss Rebel on the field.
More than 40 Rebels are now listed on the rosters of 20 different NFL teams. At least five of them are NFL rookies. Four of them have more than 10 years in the league. Three of them were Super Bowl champs last year.
The newest class of NFL rookies includes two Ole Miss players who were chosen in the NFL Draft in April. Wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling was the first pick of the second round (the 33rd pick overall) by the San Francisco 49ers. Stribling, who was with the Rebels for the 2025 season, was an important part of the offense, probably most remembered for his clutch 40-yard reception in the Sugar Bowl vs. Georgia. Offensive lineman Jayden Williams was selected in the seventh round by the Arizona Cardinals. Williams’ entire college career was at Ole Miss, where he started in 34 of 45 career games, including all 15 games of the 2025 season.
Stribling and Williams are not the only rookies coming from Ole Miss this season. Several others were picked up as undrafted free agents in the weeks and months following the draft, including: Harrison Wallace III (Arizona Cardinals); Diego Pounds (Baltimore Ravens); Tahj Chambers (Indianapolis Colts); and Kapena Gushiken (Philadelphia Eagles). Wydett Williams Jr., Zxavian Harris and Dae’Quan Wright also found spots on NFL rosters but made headlines in mid-August when a court order granted them an additional year of college eligibility. At press time, Harris and Wright were heading back to the NCAA; a decision by Williams was pending. To further complicate matters, the SEC issued a statement it was opposed to professional athletes returning to college football, and the NCAA was actively fighting other similar court rulings.
Ole Miss in the NFL
The following former Ole Miss Rebels currently play in the NFL:
*This information is accurate as of the time this magazine went to press and may not account for final changes to NFL rosters.
Arizona Cardinals
Walter Nolen III | Defensive Line | #97
Harrison Wallace III | Wide Receiver | #30
Jayden Williams | Offensive Line | #66
Wydett Williams Jr. | Safety | #31
Kenny Yeboah | Tight End | #48
Atlanta Falcons
Antwane Wells Jr. | Wide Receiver | #82
Baltimore Ravens
Diego Pounds | Tackle | #61
Tavius Robinson | Outside Linebacker | #95
Dayton Wade | Wide Reciever | #18
Buffalo Bills
Nick Broeker | Guard | #65
Dawson Knox | Tight End | #88
Carolina Panthers
Caden Prieskorn | Tight End | #40
Princely Umanmielen | Outside Linebacker | #3
Chicago Bears
Jaylon Jones | Defensive Back | #33
Cincinnati Bengals
Daijahn Anthony | Safety | #33
Cedric Johnson | Defensive End | #52
Dallas Cowboys
Jonathan Mingo | Wide Receiver | #81
Sam Williams | Outside Linebacker | #54
Denver Broncos
Evan Engram | Tight End | #1
D.J. Jones | Defensive Tackle | #93
Indianapolis Colts
Ulysses Bentley IV | Running Back | #37
Tahj Chambers | Linebacker | #44
Laquon Treadwell | Wide Receiver | #13
Trey Washington | Safety | #41
Los Angeles Chargers
Tre’ Harris | Wide Receiver | #9
Deane Leonard | Defensive Back | #33
Las Vegas Raiders
J.J. Pegues | Defensive Tackle | #92
New England Patriots
A.J. Brown | Wide Receiver | #1
Ben Brown | Center | #77
John Saunders Jr. | Safety | #23
New York Giants
Jaxson Dart | Quarterback | #6
Philadelphia Eagles
Chance Campbell | Linebacker | #59
Kapena Gushiken | Cornerback | #34
Elijah Moore | Wide Receiver | #19
Pittsburgh Steelers
D.K. Metcalf | Wide Receiver | #4
Seattle Seahawks
A.J. Finley | Safety | #30
Jared Ivey | Linebacker | #51
Chris Paul Jr. | Linebacker | #49
San Franciso 49ers
De’Zhaun Stribling | Wide Receiver | #15
Jordan Watkins | Wide Receiver | #17
Washington Commanders
Trey Amos | Cornerback | #23
Laremy Tunsil | Tackle | #78
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