OXFORD – Ole Miss offensive lineman PJ Wilkins believes Ole Miss’ offensive line is on the right track despite a bumpy scrimmage for the group over the weekend.
Wilkins, a 6-foot-5, 340-pound redshirt sophomore who began his career at Charlotte, started two games for the 49ers in 2024 and was a three-star prospect in the transfer portal this offseason, according to 247Sports. He figures to play a major role in a retooled offensive line that returns one full-time starter from last season in senior tackle Diego Pounds.
The Rebels added five offensive line transfers for 2025 – four-star transfers Patrick Kutas (Arkansas) and Delano Townsend (UAB) and three-stars Percy Lewis (Auburn), Terez Davis (Maryland) and Wilkins – and return senior Jayden Williams (19 career starts) and redshirt sophomore Brycen Sanders, who is likely to take over at center.
Ole Miss had a 63.4 pass-blocking grade and 58.3 run-blocking grade last season, according to Pro Football Focus. The Rebels were tied for 80th nationally at 2.23 sacks allowed per game and averaged 175.7 yards per game rushing, the lowest in five seasons under Kiffin.
“I think as a group we did really, really good (in the scrimmage). I mean, there’s obviously some stuff that we have to clean up, but I think we came out there with the right mindset and we executed pretty good,” said Wilkins, who played his high school football at Baltimore’s St. Frances Academy.
Ole Miss returns just two starters from an offense that ranked second nationally in total offense and third in scoring. The Rebels retooled their wide receiver and running back rooms through the transfer portal, and redshirt sophomore Austin Simmons will take over under center for three-year starter Jaxson Dart.
According to head coach Lane Kiffin, the Rebels’ defensive line shined in Saturday’s scrimmage. It was a good sign for a defensive front that lost three NFL Draft picks and led the nation in sacks per game and tackles-for-loss. But one group’s success comes at the expense of another’s, and the Rebels’ offensive line – which Kiffin said was without a few key pieces in the scrimmage – is still figuring things out.
“A little bit up and down. We didn’t have a starting offensive lineman and, really, by the time it’s done, maybe two starting offensive linemen weren’t there,” Kiffin said. “So, it’s always good for other guys to work around and see how they do. But our first defensive line is really good, presents a lot of problems with the scheme that we play. So, it’s always a test for them.”
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