OXFORD – Ole Miss’ defense last season was one of the best in recent school history, if not all-time. Although there are new faces all over the 2025 Rebels, junior linebacker TJ Dottery likes his group’s odds.
Dottery, along with fellow junior linebacker Suntarine Perkins, are the lone returning full-time starters from last season’s historically prolific defense. The Rebels led the nation in sacks per game and tackles-for-loss and finished second in points per game allowed and rush defense. Dottery was second on the team with 76 tackles in 2024, while Perkins was tied for the team lead with 10.5 sacks.
No. 21 Ole Miss begins its 2025 season Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium against Georgia State at 6:45 p.m. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network.
Dottery expects a similar, aggressive mindset from this year’s defense. That’s a non-negotiable standard under defensive coordinator Pete Golding, regardless of who takes the field.
“The same physical, dominating mentality. That never changes,” Dottery said. “That’s just the standard and just the Landshark mentality of this defense.”
Dottery had the “green dot” on his helmet last season to communicate plays from the sideline and will again this year, he said. And, as was the case a season ago, Dottery wants to be a leader who helps get teammates ready in all facets.
“I just continue to try to just be that vocal leader regardless,” Dottery said. “If guys just need help, get in the film room, studying or just (me) bringing that energy to practice and just preparing like it’s an actual game week.”
The Rebels were led by a ferocious defensive front last season that included All-American Walter Nolen and All-SEC edge rusher Princely Umanmielen. Golding has touted this year’s defensive line as being less heralded currently but extremely talented. Homegrown players like sophomores Kam Franklin, Will Echoles and Jamarious Brown will play big roles, as will junior transfer edge rushers Princewill Umanimelen and Da’Shawn Womack.
Returners on the defensive line paid careful attention to the work the stars in front of them did a year ago, Dottery noted, which has put them in a good position heading into their own starring roles.
“I’m excited. … Young, but I feel like last year when they had those older guys in front of them, they didn’t take these days of practicing for granted,” Dottery said. “They came and prepared as if they were starters. So, come this spring and fall, they were ready.”
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