Ole Miss made it a priority to upgrade the defense through the transfer portal this offseason, and one player fans should be excited about is linebacker Keaton Thomas.
Thomas transferred in from Baylor after putting together two outstanding seasons. Last year, he finished with 99 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception and 3 pass breakups. Over the past two seasons, he racked up 219 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and 2 interceptions, proving he’s one of the most productive linebackers in college football.
What makes Thomas special isn’t just the numbers. He plays fast, hits hard and always seems to be around the football. Whether it’s stopping the run, dropping into coverage or making a big play when his team needs it, he’s the type of linebacker every defense wants in the middle.
Pete Golding has added several key pieces through the portal, but Thomas may end up being the biggest difference-maker of them all. His experience, leadership and playmaking ability should give the Rebels a steady presence on defense.
If Thomas plays the way he did at Baylor, don’t be surprised if he’s one of Ole Miss’ leading tacklers and one of the fan favorites by the end of the season.
