2025 Fall College Baseball Reset: Ole Miss

It was a strong overall 2025 for the Ole Miss baseball program. The Rebels went 16-14 during SEC play, went deep into the conference tournament, and hosted one of the Regionals. However, it ended on a sour note, thanks to the Murray State Racers. But moving into 2026, Ole Miss should remain highly competitive in a deep SEC.

The Returnees

Hunter Elliott, who missed all of 2024, was a dominant pitcher for Ole Miss last spring. Months after not going pro after he was selected in the 20th round by the Dodgers, Elliott struck out a team-high 102 batters across 85.2 IP, as he put similar results to his standout 2022 campaign as a freshman.

He’ll be back for his senior season in 2026.

Aside from Elliott, Ole Miss’s top two home run hitters will return to the Ole Miss.

Judd Utermark, who hit a team-high 22, is back for his senior campaign. Catcher Austin Fawley, the 22-year-old, who transferred from Kentucky in the summer of 2024, belted 21 home runs for the Rebels.

Aside from those two, the Rebels also retained regulars Hayden Federico and Will Furniss. Owen Paino, a top high school recruit from the summer of 2024 out of New York, returned for his sophomore campaign. Paino only played in 24 games last spring.

Pitchers Walker Hooks and Hudson Calhoun are among the returning arms.

Those pieces will have to blunt the losses sustained this past summer.

Ethan Surowiec, who had a monster summer in the Northwoods League, stayed in conference but moved to Gainesville and joined the Florida Gators.

And as for the pitching staff, Ole Miss lost a lot of talent from 2025 to the pros.

Mason Morris, who struck out 78 over 54 innings last season, was drafted by the Reds in the third round. Reliever Connor Spencer went pro after being drafted by the Cubs, the second straight year he was picked. Mason Nichols, also part of their rotation, went in the ninth round to the Rays.

The Newcomers

If there’s one thing that the 2025 NCAA baseball season proved, it’s that one shouldn’t count out the mid-majors. Heading into 2026, a key piece of the Murray State Racers — who made a Cinderella run to the College World Series — is headed to Oxford.

Dom Decker, who didn’t hit a home run but batted .351 for the Racers in 2025, is among the headlining newcomers to the Ole Miss program.

Owen Kelly, the 2025 staff ace for the Saint Louis Billikens of the A-10, joined the Ole Miss Rebels. Kelly struck out 78 over 80 frames in his sophomore season, then punched out eight and gave up two earned runs in the Cape with Orleans.

Additionally, JP Robertson and Topher Jones come over from Pearl River Community College. Both performed very well in summer ball. Robertson struck out 59 over 48 frames with St. Cloud in the Northwoods League, while Jones slashed .366/.435/.577 in the Valley League.

Lastly, the Rebels were able to raid one of their SEC rivals: Missouri. Wil Libbert, the Tigers’ co-strikeout leader (55) from 2025, joined Ole Miss for his junior campaign. Libbert struck out 12 over 8.2 innings with Hyannis in the Cape Cod League.

The Ole Miss roster also includes nine freshmen and three redshirt freshmen. Among them are pitcher Blake Illitch, a Michigan product who hit the mid-90s during the 2024 showcase circuit, and speedy outfielder Cannon Goldin.

Summary

Despite losing significant talent over the summer, the Ole Miss program is in strong shape.

The Rebels should remain competitive with an experienced roster, as well as youngsters who should be ready to help when needed.