Rebels’ Freshman Praised as Impact Newcomer by National Outlet

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss’ crop of freshmen are considered some of the more highly regarded talent out of the state of Mississippi in some time. The Rebels signed a total of 10 4-star prospects with the top six signees reared from the Magnolia State.

One of those heavily recruited freshman is four-star lineman Williams Echoles. Projected as an offensive lineman out of high school, he’ll play defense in college. The 6-foot-3, 290 pound tackle earned a nod from On3 as a member of its preseason all-freshmen team.

On3 Preseason True Freshman All-American: Ole Miss DL William Echoles🦈https://t.co/ZD1sjFLukT pic.twitter.com/RfOXESNy9b

— On3 (@On3sports) August 19, 2024

Much of the list is based off recruiting ranking, team depth issues and hearsay from closed practices. Echoles is worth the hype coming to Oxford as the No. 77 ranked prospect nationally, No. 16 defensive lineman and the top prospect in Mississippi. He terrorized offensive backfields as a senior recording 73 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and three fumble recoveries.

How much playing time Echoles will receive as a freshman is up in the air as the Rebels recruited at an extremely high level in the transfer portal. Former Texas A&M defensive end Walter Nolen and Florida transfer edge rusher Princely Umanmielen are projected to be starters week one.

Although he has a few guys in front of him, there is certainly room for Echoles to play early. Kiffin isn’t afraid to let freshmen in the mix early if he’s thought of as a difference maker. Even defensive coordinator Pete Golding is high on the Rebels’ high school newcomer.

“I think Will Echoles is exactly who we thought he was,” Golding said to reporters last week. “I think he can be a really dominant player at this level. How much that is this year, we’ll see. But definitely he can have a role and have the ability to help us.”