Oct 26, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels linebacker Suntarine Perkins (4), defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen (1) and defensive lineman Akelo Stone (95) reacts after a sack during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Ole Miss Football Defensive Lineman Receiving Significant Interest in Portal

Originally posted on Ole Miss Rebels on SI | By Zack Nagy | Last updated Apr 20, 2025 9:00 AM ET

Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels saw defensive lineman, Akelo Stone, enter the NCAA Transfer Portal this week after a two-year stint in Oxford.

Stone, who initially joined the Rebels after three seasons with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, appeared in 11 games for Kiffin's program in 2024.

After double-digit appearances, Stone finished the season with 15 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one quarterback hurry and a pass breakup last season.

Stone will be exercising his sixth season of eligibility at his next destination.

With the Ole Miss defensive line undergoing an overhaul this offseason, the expectation was that Stone would see significant playing time.

The Rebels have lost their entire starting unit up front in Walter Nolen (defensive tackle), Princely Umanmielen (EDGE) and Jared Ivey (defensive end) all departing for the 2025 NFL Draft. The trio remains high on NFL Big Boards.

Stone played 286 snaps for the Rebels while taking reps with both the defensive unit and the special teams unit throughout his time with Ole Miss.

He wrapped up his stint in Oxford with 27 total tackles (12 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and a pass breakup across two seasons.

But Stone is already receiving significant interest in the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to On3 Sports.

He's heard from the likes of North Carolina, Michigan State and Florida State, among others, after entering the free agent market.

Sources confirmed to @OMSpiritOn3 veteran defensive tackle Akelo Stone is, indeed, transferring.

He’s heard from, among others, Florida State, Michigan State and UNC.

Details: https://t.co/COo5UFdEa8 pic.twitter.com/DQ4yhNl7DL
— Ben Garrett (@SpiritBen) April 18, 2025

For the Rebels, the program reeled in a pair of Top-10 transfers at defensive line with LSU's Da'Shawn Womack and Nebraska's Princewill Umanmielen signing with the program during the winter window of the NCAA Transfer Portal.

“This Ole Miss team coming up, I think the coaches did a great job of filling in the positions that were needed,” Princely Umanmielen said at Ole Miss' Pro Day. “Like me, I left the d-line, had a lot of guys leave, and I feel like (defensive line) coach (Randall) Joyner and (assistant) coach Lou (Spanos) did a good job of just reloading that room.

“We didn’t have a drop-off at quarterback. Austin Simmons is a great quarterback. I think they’ll have a great season next year.”