OXFORD – A year ago it was the interior of Ole Miss’ offensive line that had its share of question marks. In spring of 2026, it’s the tackle spots that remain somewhat of a mystery.
The Rebels graduated starting left tackle Diego Pounds and starting right tackle Jayden Williams – who started 24 games and 34, respectively, during their Ole Miss careers – this offseason, leaving voids on the edges of the offensive line. The two gave up a combined two sacks last season and combined for three total penalties, per Pro Football Focus.
Junior center Brycen Sanders, senior guard Patrick Kutas and junior guard Delano Townsend return as starters and comprise what figures to be a formidable interior trio. The tackle spots, though, are admittedly murkier.
“Obviously time will tell. We’re just in Day 4 right now,” Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding said. “So, brought in some experience there, obviously, from an SEC standpoint, having played in some games – still young, still really raw. I think we’re a long ways from having that solidified by any means. Some guys that played the position last year in some spot roles that I think have the athletic ability to do it. But obviously, as we all know in this league, you better be pretty good at tackle
“ … I think that’s a work in progress, a big part of this spring and the summer, and it’s going to develop in my opinion all the way through fall camp.”
Among the contenders for one of the starting tackle jobs is LSU transfer Carius Curne. Curne was a consensus four-star prospect in the 2025 class who started five games for the Tigers as a true freshman. He was rated as a four-star transfer and the No. 2 offensive tackle in the transfer portal by 247Sports.
The Rebels also added Florida transfer Enoch Wangoy and Miami transfer Tommy Kinsler IV, who are both rated as three-star transfers. Wangoy did not play in a game in two seasons with the Gators, while Kinsler played in 19 games over three seasons with the Hurricanes. Ole Miss also brought in Oklahoma’s Troy Everett, who has started 18 games in his college career at center and guard.
Ole Miss also returns redshirt sophomore Terez Davis, who started two games as a freshman at Maryland but redshirted his first season with the Rebels and played in just four games. Ole Miss also has homegrown options like sophomore Connor Howes, who played in all 15 games last season, and redshirt sophomore John Wayne Oliver.
The Rebels do not return a player listed on their Fiesta Bowl two-deep depth chart at either tackle spot.
“We got Enoch, Tommy, Carius Curne, those are all super talented dudes. All dudes that can play here,” Kutas said. “And just seeing their growth, really, like every day at practice has been so awesome.”
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