The Ole Miss Rebels come into Austin this weekend, facing a Texas team seemingly on their last CFP leg. Many think the Longhorns need to win out to make the 12-team field, while some think they can afford one more loss. Regardless of that, taking a loss this weekend, with Mississippi State, Missouri and LSU on the horizon, is likely the last nail in the coffin.
Unfortunately for Texas, Ole Miss enters with one of the best QBs in the country, along with multiple other future NFL players. Here are six of those guys you’ll hear plenty of by the end of the Saturday night:
Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy
This is one of the best RBs in the country. Lacy put together a remarkable 2025 campaign, collecting 1,567 rushing yards and 224 rushing TDs. This season, he’s suffered some injuries
early but has looked like his normal self when on the field. He’s averaging 5.7 yards/carry this season and is coming off a 16 carry, 122 yard performance against Missouri. The Texas defense has done very well against elite RBs this season, but this could be the tallest task to date.
Ole Miss WR Traylon Ray
You’ll hear the name Deuce Alexander plenty between today and Saturday. The name you won’t hear enough is Traylon Ray. Ray didn’t record an offensive stat in 2025, spending all of his time in the Rebels secondary. This season, he’s flipped to offense and currently is the second-leading WR for this team. He’s shown his big game ability against LSU earlier this season and as important as it is to slow down Alexander, Ray could create major issues as well.
Ole Miss TE Caleb Odom
To add to the athletic receiving core, Odom is a TE with WR attributes. At 6 '5”, 240lbs, he brings great receiving ability to the table, ranked 2nd in receptions and 3rd in yards for the Rebels. Texas will need a consistent answer for him over the middle of the field if they are going to slow this offense. Odom has logged 3 catches in every game, so if Texas can limit him, they can limit the Ole Miss offense.
Ole Miss LB Luke Ferrelli
The Ole Miss front seven is loaded with NFL talent. Luke Ferrelli, the Cal transfer(by way of Clemson), has fit right in and become the Rebels leading tackler. He’s logged 39 tackles and 2 sacks through six games, while flashing his elite speed. The Texas RBs will be forced to make No. 12 miss if they want to create explosive runs in this game. Ferrelli, along with the rest of the elite LB group, will close openings very quickly in the run game.
Ole Miss DE Kam Franklin
Another name to know across the front of the Ole Miss defense is Kam Franklin. Will Echoles and Suntarine Perkins often get much of the attention but Franklin is capable of taking over this game as well. Siani and Goosby will need to match his aggression and ability, especially in the run game, to open the outside zone for the Texas RBs. It’s a tall task but if No. 5 isn’t handled on Saturday, the Texas offensive struggles will continue.
Ole Miss CB Antonio Kite
If the Longhorns OL can handle the Ole Miss front seven, they’ll get a chance to attack the Rebels secondary. The secondary, while not loaded with elite NFL talent, is home to some great players including Kite. He has strong ball skills and has played a number of secondary positions, giving him lots of knowledge. That being said, there have been holes in this Ole Miss secondary that Texas can exploit, if the OL can handle their business.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Ole Miss Rebels to watch vs. Texas: Lacy, Ray, Franklin, Ferrelli
