Ole Miss in the NFL

A record eight Ole Miss players were selected in the 2025 NFL draft, including two in the first round.

Written by Emily Welly  |  Graphics Provided by NFL Communications  |  Photos Provided by

Ole Miss Athletics

In April, Ole Miss fans were on the edge of their seats waiting to see how the NFL Draft would play out for its top players. By the end of the weekend’s seven rounds, a record eight Ole Miss players had been selected.

As the 16th overall pick, defensive end Walter Nolen III became the highest draft pick of the Lane Kiffin era. He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals. Nolen was named first-team All-American in 2024, and finished the year with career highs in tackles (48), sacks (6.5), tackles for loss (14), passes defensed (3) and fumble recoveries (2).

The New York Giants used the No. 25 pick for quarterback Jaxson Dart who holds Ole Miss records in total offense (12,115), passing yards (10,617), passing efficiency (162.8), 300-yard passing games (15), rushing yards by a quarterback (1,498) and more.

In the second round of the draft, Tre Harris went to the Los Angeles Chargers and Trey Amos to the Washington Commanders. Princely Umanmielen went to the Carolina Panthers in the third round. In rounds 4-6, Jordan Watkins went to the San Francisco 49ers, Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr. went to the Los Angeles Rams, and Oxford native J.J. Pegues was picked by the Las Vegas Raiders.

Additionally, in recent months, several former Ole Miss players who remained undrafted free agents following the NFL Draft signed with pro teams, including Juice Wells Jr., Jared Ivey, Ulysses Bentley, Caden Prieskorn, John Saunders, Trey Washington and Caden Davis.

The Canadian Football League also added two Ole Miss Rebels to its ranks: Lineman Julius Buelow made the Saskatchewan Roughriders roster, and punter Fraser Masin was drafted by the Calgary Stampeders — he was the No. 1 pick in the CFL draft.

Where are they now?

The following former Ole Miss Rebels currently play in the NFL:

*This list is accurate as of the time this magazine went to press.

Arizona Cardinals

Jaylon Jones | Cornerback | #37

Royce Newman | Offensive Lineman | #71

Walter Nolen III | Defensive Lineman | #97

Baltimore Ravens

Tavius Robinson | Outside Linebacker | #95

Dayton Wade | Wide Receiver | #82

Buffalo Bills

Caden Davis | Kicker | #36

Dawson Knox | Tight End | #88

Elijah Moore | Wide Receiver | #18

Carolina Panthers

Princely Umanmielen | Outside Linebacker | #33

Cincinnati Bengals

Daijahn Anthony | Safety | #33

Cedric Johnson | Defensive End | #52

Dallas Cowboys

Nick Broeker | Guard | #64

Jonathan Mingo | Wide Receiver | #81

Sam Williams | Defensive End | #54

Denver Broncos

Evan Engram | Tight End | #1

D.J. Jones | Defensive Tackle | #93

 Caden Prieskorn | Tight End | #86

Detroit Lions

Isaac Ukwu | Defensive End | #45

Kenny Yeboah | Tight End | #88

Green Bay Packers

Malik Heath | Wide Receiver | #18

Indianapolis Colts

Ulysses Bentley IV | Running Back | #37

Laquon Treadwell | Wide Receiver | #13

Trey Washington | Safety | #41

Jacksonville Jaguars

De’Antre Prince | Cornerback | #24

Las Vegas Raiders

J.J. Pegues | Defensive Tackle | #92

Los Angeles Chargers

Tre Harris | Wide Receiver | #9

Deane Leonard | Defensive Back | #33

Los Angeles Rams

Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr. | Linebacker | #54

Miami Dolphins

Benito Jones | Defensive Tackle | #95

John Saunders Jr. | Safety | #35

New England Patriots

Ben Brown | Center | #77

New York Giants

Jaxson Dart | Quarterback | #6

Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. | Wide Receiver | #2

Philadephia Eagles

A.J. Brown | Wide Receiver | #11

Pittsburgh Steelers

D.K. Metcalf | Wide Receiver | #4

Mark Robinson | Linebacker | #93

San Francisco 49ers

Jordan Watkins | Wide Receiver | #17

Seattle Seahawks

A.J. Finley | Safety | #30

Jared Ivey | Linebacker | #51

Washington Commanders

Trey Amos | Cornerback | #23

Laremy Tunsil | Tackle | #78