Ole Miss had eight players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, the second most in school history. Rebel defensive tackle Walter Nolen was drafted 16th overall in the opening round by Arizona. Nolen played two years of high school football at Olive Branch before finishing school in Tennessee. Rebel quarterback Jaxson Dart went to the New York Giants as the 25th overall selection in the first round. Wide receiver Tre Harris went to the L.A. Chargers with the 55th pick in the second round followed by cornerback Trey Amos selected by Washington as the 61st pick in the same round. Defensive end Princely Umanmielen was chosen by Carolina in the third round. Three more Rebels were selected on day three of the draft. Wide receiver Jordan Watkins went to San Francisco in the fourth round while linebacker Chris Paul went to the L.A. Rams in round five. Oxford native J.J. Pegues went to the Las Vegas Raiders in the sixth round. Ole Miss had 11 players sign free agent contracts with the various teams after the draft.
For the first time since 2009 no Mississippi State Bulldog players were drafted. State did have two players sign as free agents.
Former D’Iberville football star Justin Walley was taken in the third round with the 80th overall selection by the Indianapolis Colts. Walley was a second team All-Big Ten selection at cornerback for the Minnesota Gophers.
Former Neshoba Central star Jarquez Hunter was drafted by the L.A. Rams. The former Auburn running back was selected 117th overall in the fourth round.
The New Orleans Saints drafted Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth selection in the first round. The Saints' next selection was Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round with the 40th overall pick. The Saints then selected five defensive players and two offensive players over the remaining rounds.
Baseball
Mississippi State’s favorite son Jake Mangum was put on the ten-day injured list with a groin issue by Tampa Bay last Wednesday. Mangum has played in 21 games with the Rays this season and was hitting .338 with 23 hits.
The USM Golden Eagles have won at least 30 games in a season for the 23rd consecutive year. That is tops in Division 1 baseball. The No. 22 Golden Eagles (31-13, 15-6) swept Appalachian State over the weekend. The Eagles are riding a five- game winning streak as they settle in for a seven-game homestand beginning with Arkansas State on Friday.
Ole Miss (31-13, 12-9) won two of three from Vandy over the weekend. The No. 23 Rebels will travel to Oklahoma beginning Friday.
Mississippi State could muster only one win at Auburn over the weekend. The Bulldogs (25-19, 7-14) will begin an eight-game homestand by hosting Kentucky this weekend.
We have some outstanding baseball played by our small colleges as Millsaps, Delta State and William Carey all won their conference regular season championships. Belhaven finished second while Mississippi College finished third in their respective conferences. In the JUCO baseball ranks, Pearl River has wrapped up the regular season title.
Players of the Year
The MHSAA announced their Miss Softball winners last week. Those selected were Madilyn Graham of Stringer (1A), Lucy Cochran of East Union (2A), Olivia Garrett of Booneville (3A), Layla Owens of Itawamba (4A), Mabry Eason of Lafayette (5A), Sadie Bright of South Panola (6A) and Hannah Jo Sullivan of Brandon (7A).
The top players in baseball were Jon Gray Morrison of West Union (1A), Landon Harmon of East Union (2A), Brody Thompson of Mooreville (3A), Jacob and JoJo Parker of Purvis (4A), Griffin Enis of Corinth (5A), Baylor Roberts (6A) and Talon Haley of Lewisburg (7A).
Basketball
The William Carey Lady Crusaders for the first time in 35 years have a new head basketball coach. Longtime assistant coach and former Lady Crusader player Jessica Garriga succeeds Tracy English.
