What could change Ole Miss coach Pete Golding's approach to newly eligible 2022 players

OXFORD — Ole Miss football might use the new college football eligibility rules in case of an emergency, but it won't be common practice.

A Colorado judge granted a fifth year of eligibility to college athletes in the 2022 high school class July 31 who didn't redshirt or turn pro . Because Ole Miss ' Class of 2022 players who qualified have signed NFL deals, there's not an easy option for coach Pete Golding and the Rebels to plug-and-play.

The transfer portal further complicates things. It's not open, but players who qualify could try to sue separately and get a ruling that allows them to transfer. That happened to former Ole Miss basketball guard AJ Storr .

Golding said he's had preliminary discussions about bringing in now-eligible players, but he doesn't want to displace a player on his roster that was finalized when the ruling came out.

"I think the timing of this isn't perfect to create a lot of opportunities for certain people when you've already had a roster limit," Golding said Aug. 6 after the first fall practice . "There's no new additions, an umbrella, like they did in COVID."

Golding didn't completely rule out Ole Miss adding another player, but there are no plans to. He said something like a major injury could change that.

The NCAA is appealing the ruling, and the process remains fluid. Golding credited Taylor Hall, the senior associate athletics director of compliance at Ole Miss, for having a feel for potential rule changes. Golding said there's little that coaches are caught off guard about.

Golding said his philosophy is to operate under the current rules. Leaving roster spots open in case lawsuits change enforcement rules isn't a game he wants to play.

"Our numbers are what they are right now," Golding said. "We're where we need to be. But, definitely, there's been conversations if something were to occur, if we need to go that direction."

Ole Miss football practice observations

Ole Miss held its first preseason practice at the Manning Center. Reporters got limited access.

Practice was open for about nine minutes, during a special teams and conditioning period at the end.

The team was on the outdoor field, where it was hot and humid. The punt return drill was the liveliest action of the period, although there was no hitting.

Running backs Kewan Lacy and JT Lindsey and receivers Darrell Gill, Johntay Cook and Cameron Miller participated in the drill.

Transfer safety Edwin Joseph (Florida State) and transfer defensive end Jordan Renaud (Alabama) were participants after missing spring practice.

"I think the way we restructured, it didn't feel like it was the first day of camp," Golding said. "It feels like we've kind of been at this for a while. It was good to get those guys who were not able to go to spring in a competitive period to be out there. Those two (Renaud and Joseph) I think have the ability to be really good players."

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens _

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: What could change Ole Miss coach Pete Golding's approach to newly eligible 2022 players

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