OXFORD – Ole Miss junior defensive tackle Walter Nolen, senior wide receiver Tre Harris and junior linebacker Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr. were named All-Americans by the Associated Press Monday. Nolen was named to the first team, Harris to the second team and Paul to the third team.
Nolen, who announced Monday on social media that he is entering the NFL Draft but will play in the Gator Bowl, transferred from Texas A&M in the offseason. He was one of the highest-rated players in his recruiting class and in the transfer portal and looked every bit the part in his one season with the Rebels. Nolen was an Outland Trophy finalist and first-team All-SEC selection in 2024, notching 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles-for-loss. He helped anchor an Ole Miss defense that leads the nation in sacks and tackles-for-loss per game, is second in rushing yards per game allowed and is tied for fourth in points per game allowed. Nolen is projected to be a first-round pick in ESPN’s latest mock draft.
Harris missed nearly half the season with an injury but still finished with a career-best 1,030 receiving yards, which is second in the SEC and 18th nationally. He had five games with at least 100 receiving yards.
Paul, a first-year transfer from Arkansas who has also declared for the NFL Draft, was a force up the middle for the Rebels this season. He leads the team with 88 tackles and has 11 tackles-for-loss. Paul also has an interception.
Micah Pettus no longer with program
Redshirt junior offensive tackle Micah Pettus has been dismissed by the program, sources confirmed with the Daily Journal on Monday. Inside the Rebels initially broke the news last week, and Pettus posted on social media Monday that he is entering the transfer portal and looking into the possibility of entering the NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-7, 350-pounder from Madison, Alabama, has started 29 games at right tackle over the last three seasons for the Rebels. Pettus missed the final four games of last season with an injury and did not play against Oklahoma in 2024. At the time, head coach Lane Kiffin told reporters Pettus “said he couldn’t play” right before the game. Pettus started the other 11 games this season for the No. 14 Rebels (9-3, 5-3 SEC), who play Duke (9-3, 5-3 ACC) in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 2.
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