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Former Mississippi NCAA Football Players Selected in NFL Draft
The 2025 NFL Draft has concluded, and several players who went to college in Mississippi had the honor of being selected by an NFL team.
Ole Miss
The Rebels had a record-breaking eight players selected in the NFL Draft. Here are the names of the new rookies:
Walter Nolan (DT), Arizona Cardinals; R1, 16th overall pick –
The first Rebel taken in the draft, Nolan impressed countless NFL scouts as he performed this past season for the Rebels on the defensive line. Nolan tallied 14.5 tackles for loss along with 6.5 sacks, and will likely make an immediate impact on the defensive end for the Cardinals, who were in need of another defensive presence.
Jaxson Dart (QB), New York Giants; R1, 25th overall pick –
The Giants may have found a new leader in Dart. Being the second QB taken in the draft after first overall pick Cam Ward (Miami), Dart stands at 6’2″, 223 pounds. He led the Ole Miss Rebels to an impressive 10-3 overall record in the 2024-25 season. He has impressed scouts with his dual-threat, fearless play style. Over the last three seasons at Ole Miss, Dart has rushed for over 1,500 yards and scored 12 rushing touchdowns. His timing and touch on his passes caught the Giants’ eye, and Dart will be competing for a starting spot in New York as a rookie.
Tre Harris (WR), Los Angeles Chargers; R2, 55th overall pick –
Ranked as the fifth best wide receiver prospect in the draft, the Chargers may have found a gem in Tre Harris. After transferring from Louisiana Tech, Harris recorded 114 catches for 2,015 yards and 15 touchdowns in two seasons with the Rebels. The Chargers look to develop Harris with his route running and ability to produce after the catch, making him a promising outside receiver. This pick also allows Ladd McConkey to excel as the slot receiver and one of the Chargers’ main targets.
Trey Amos (CB), Washington Commanders; R2, 61st overall pick –
Just six picks after Harris was taken by LA, Trey Amos was snagged by the Commanders. Ranked as the sixth highest CB prospect, Amos spent three seasons in the Sun Belt at Louisiana before transferring to Alabama, and then finally to Ole Miss for his last season. He deflected 13 passes, snagged three interceptions, and notched 50 total tackles including four tackles for loss. He’s shown signs of great coverage in comeback and hitch routes, as well as excelling in zone coverage.
Princely Umanmielen (EDGE), Carolina Panthers; R3, 77th overall pick –
Umanmielen is explosive on the defensive line with his speed rush and extraordinary length. Carolina focused on defense in the draft, taking edges Nic Scourton (Texas A&M) and Umanmielen in back-to-back picks. He’s got great agility and can play both the pass rush and defend the run, and will make an impact for Carolina down the stretch.
Jordan Watkins (WR), San Francisco 49ers; R4, 138th overall pick –
Watkins impressed at the NFL Draft Combine with a 4.37 second 40-yard dash. Despite being undersized, Watkins averaged 18.5 yards per catch during the 2024-25 season along with making some impressive catches in traffic. He also led the Rebels with nine receiving touchdowns.
Chris Paul Jr. (LB), Los Angeles Rams; R5, 172nd overall pick –
After transferring from Arkansas, Paul led Ole Miss in total tackles with 86 in 2024-25. The Rams more than likely found a gem in Paul as he was ranked as the 4th best linebacker prospect going into the draft. At 6’1″, 222 pounds, he has great power for his size and is able to slip through blocks and stop running backs at a high rate. He’s also shown a lot of potential in pass coverage.
J.J. Pegues (DT), Las Vegas Raiders; R6, 180th overall pick –
Pegues showed a wide range of versatility in his time at Ole Miss. Lining up at defensive tackle, edge, wildcat quarterback, running back, and tight end, Pegues was a threat all over the field. Primarily a run defender, his size and strength allowed him to disrupt the run at an excellent rate. On the offensive end, he tallied 21 total carries for 69 yards and seven touchdowns, something you very rarely see from a defensive lineman. His versatility could be seen as a valuable tool for the Raiders.
Jackson State
While no one was directly selected from Jackson State in this year’s draft, two big name former transfers were selected.
Travis Hunter (WR/CB), Jacksonville Jaguars; R1, 2nd overall pick –
Hunter spent one year with the Tigers in 2022 as the highest-ranked recruit to ever commit to an HBCU. In his time at Jackson State, he tallied 18 receptions for 188 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 20 total tackles, 10 pass deflections, 2 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery. Hunter then transferred to Colorado, where he became a 2x All-American and won the Heisman trophy in 2024-25. Jacksonville drafts a true unicorn, and Hunter will be an immediate impact for the Jags.
Shedeur Sanders (QB), Cleveland Browns; R5, 144th overall pick –
Ranked as the second overall quarterback on the prospect list, it came as a shock when Sanders fell all the way to the 5th round. He took the same route as Travis Hunter, proving to be a standout quarterback at JSU. Following his father, head coach and NFL legend Deion Sanders, Shedeur put on a show at Colorado and drew eyes from scouts. He will be competing for the starting spot in the depth chart in Cleveland.
Mississippi State
The Bulldogs had no players drafted for the first time since 2009, but two players signed as undrafted free agents:
Kelly Akharaiyi (WR), Buffalo Bills
In one year at Mississippi State, Akharaiyi hauled in 25 receptions for 391 yards and two touchdowns. In SEC contests, he ranked 8th in yards per catch with 17.1.
Stone Blanton (LB), San Francisco 49ers
In one year at Mississippi State, Blanton notched his first career 100+ tackle season with 125, including 3.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
