Sharif Denson brings a veteran presence to the Ole Miss secondary. He got his experience as a Florida Gators safety from 2023-2025.
The 5-11, 195-pound Denson arrived to Ole Miss via the transfer portal from Florida in January. He is in currently in the midst of position battles within a most rebuilt Rebel secondary as spring practices enter their third week.
Denson left Florida accomplished. Over two seasons, he totaled 95 tackles, an interception, three pass breakups, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, two sacks and one forced fumble during his time with the Gators. Denson was a critical force in the UF secondary during the 2025 when he had 53 tackles and two tackles-for-loss.
“I feel like spring is going very well,” Denson told OleMiss365.com. “With the type of coaching staff that B (Bryan) and (Wes) Neighbors and PG (had coach Pete Golding) have already out in place…I feel like we just came in, went to work and did what they told us to…and we’re creating a brotherhood and camaraderie together.”
We asked Denson his thoughts on his short time in Oxford. e arrived the first week of January.
“It’s a little bit similar to Gainesville in the fact that it’s a small town and everyone is very familiar with everyone,” Denson explained. “Everyone is tied into Ole Miss to a certain extent. The university is central and everyone is tied into that. Everyone is after the same goal.”
Denson opined that he wasn’t fond of the Mississippi weather. Other sitting at the interview reminded him he had not yet experienced a fall camp under the hot and humid Mississippi August sun.
He laughed, we reckon not fully understanding how big of anomaly the late January ice storm was to the Magnolia State.
Ron Roberts
ON RON ROBERTS
Ron Roberts, the former Delta State head coach and current Arkansas Razorbacks defensive coordinator, has had a profound effect on the Ole Miss coaching staff. He gave Golding his first job and was a noted mentor of defensive coordinator Bryan Brown.
Denson was actually recruited by and played under Roberts when the latter was the defensive coordinator of the Florida Gators under then head coach Billy Napier.
“I feel like Ron Roberts was a very good defensive coordinator,” said Denson. “He was a DC that definitely cared for his players. It was easy to play for Ron Roberts.
“I feel like coming here, the crossover with the scheme, has allowed for me to break into the scheme that PG (Pete Golding) has in place. It has been visibly noticeable. There are some things that are different, but overall I see a crossover.”
FRESHMAN IMPRESSES
Himself excluded, who is standing out to Denson in the Rebels’ retooled secoondary?
“Somebody that is standing out to me is (freshman) Ladarian Clardy,” he said. “He just brings energy every day. He is always pushing everyone around him. He just has an infective energy that makes you do better for the group itself.”
ON THE QBS
We all know Trinidad Chambliss is QB1. But we had to ask Denson his thoughts on the QB2 battle conceivably between Auburn transfer Deuce Knight and veteran sophomore AJ Maddox.
Denson defends their passes every time the Rebels hit the practice field.
“Big ups top both of those guys, because the spin that they have and the velocity that comes off the ball with both of them. We’re blessed to have both of those guys. Whoever does get the spot, I feel very confident. Both of them have had very high highs.”