OXFORD – There’s been a slight adjustment for Ole Miss’ Tahj Chambers as far as his transition from the FCS ranks to SEC football. Among the changes? He’s had to put on some weight.
Chambers, a senior linebacker who played high school football in Arlington, Texas, began his career at Missouri State, racking up 196 tackles over four seasons with the Bears. He was a second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference pick a season ago after registering a career-best 88 tackles, including seven for loss, for the 8-4 Bears. Chambers entered the transfer portal and committed to the Rebels in December as a three-star transfer, according to On3. He arrived on campus in the spring and, since arriving in Oxford, has added 20 pounds to his frame.
“Every chance they get, they put something in front of us to eat,” Chambers said with a laugh.
Playing in the SEC requires a little more size than life in the Missouri Valley Conference given the “big bodies” on the offensive line.
“Since being here, I’ve been gaining weight like crazy,” said Chambers, who said he weighs about 235 pounds now. “They feed us a lot here. I’ve been gaining a lot of muscle, so I’ve just been getting stronger, faster.”
Chambers is looking to make an impact in a linebacker room that no longer has the services of Butkus Award finalist Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr. Also gone is Khari Coleman, who made 135 tackles over three seasons at Ole Miss. The Rebels return juniors T.J. Dottery and Suntarine Perkins, the latter of whom is the leading returning sacker in the SEC (10.5 sacks in 2024).
In addition to Chambers, the Rebels also added a pair of On3 three-star transfers in former Marshall linebacker Jaden Yates and former Grambling State linebacker Andrew Jones. Yates, who was first-team All-Sun Belt in 2024, was tied for 15th in the FBS with 120 total tackles. Jones was the Southwestern Athletic Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year after making 122 tackles, including 20.5 for loss. His tackles-for-loss total ranked fourth in the FCS.
Chambers had an 85.8 grade against the run last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Ole Miss ranked second nationally in scoring defense a season ago under defensive coordinator Pete Golding, allowing just 14.4 points per game, and led the nation in sacks per game and in tackles-for-loss. The Rebels had the No. 2 rush defense as well, allowing just 80.5 yards per game. The only two returning full-time starters on the defense are Dottery and Perkins.
“It was very important (being with the team in the spring). I just needed that first foundation of learning the playbook,” Chambers said. “Pete Golding, he’s a schemer. So, there’s a lot to do in the playbook. And, having that foundation going into fall camp, it just helped a lot. If I would have (arrived) during the fall, it would have been way different than being there in the spring.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
