OXFORD – Ole Miss had a seven-round record eight players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, including a program-record five in the first three rounds. The overall school record for selections in a draft in the common era (since 1967) is nine.
Ole Miss had two first-round picks Thursday night in defensive tackle Walter Nolen (Arizona Cardinals) and quarterback Jaxson Dart (New York Giants), two second-rounders in wide receiver Tre Harris (Los Angeles Chargers ) and cornerback Trey Amos (Washington Commanders) and a third-rounder in edge rusher Princely Umanmielen (Carolina Panthers). The Rebels had three players chosen on Sunday.
Watkins selected by 49ers
Former Ole Miss wide receiver Jordan Watkins was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round (138th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Watkins, who began his career at Louisville, finished his Rebels career with 142 catches for 2,096 yards and 14 touchdowns in three seasons. He had a career-high 906 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior in 2024 and set the Ole Miss single-game record with 254 receiving yards against Arkansas and tied the school record with five touchdown catches.
Watkins is the second Rebels wide receiver selected so far in this year’s draft, joining Tre Harris, who was taken by the Los Angeles Chargers in the second round.
Pooh Paul taken in fifth round
Former Ole Miss linebacker Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr. was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round (172nd overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Paul was a finalist for the Butkus Award in his lone season at Ole Miss after transferring from Arkansas. He led the Rebels with 88 tackles in 2024 and made 225 tackles in his four collegiate seasons.
He was a key cog in an Ole Miss defense that was second nationally in points per game allowed (14.4) and led college football in sacks per game (four) and tackles for loss (120). Paul had 11 tackles for loss last season.
J.J. Pegues selected in sixth round by Raiders
Ole Miss defensive tackle J.J. Pegues was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the sixth round (180th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Oxford native began his career at Auburn as a tight end but played his final three seasons at Ole Miss on the defensive front. He had a career-best 14 tackles for loss in 2024 and also served as the Rebels’ short-yardage back, rushing for seven touchdowns. Pegues had 10 sacks in his Ole Miss career.
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