The Ole Miss Rebels are on a roll this Saturday evening, successfully securing their second commitment in less than an hour through the transfer portal. This time, they’ve bolstered their defensive lineup by landing former Baylor linebacker Keaton Thomas. Just hours earlier, they welcomed former Auburn cornerback Jay Crawford to Oxford.
With these strategic moves, it’s clear that Coach Pete Golding is focused on strengthening the Rebels’ overall defensive capabilities.
Thomas: A Proven Playmaker
Thomas isn’t new to playing college football in Mississippi. Before making waves at Baylor, he was a standout linebacker at Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville. During his tenure there, he earned 1st-Team NJCAA All-America honors after racking up an impressive 107 tackles, 10 tackles for loss (TFLs), and 1.5 sacks during the 2023 season. His performance included two interceptions and two pass breakups while averaging an astounding 11.9 tackles per game—ranking him second nationally in NJCAA tackles.
Before his time at Northeast, Thomas redshirted as a defensive back at West Virginia University (WVU). These early experiences laid the foundation for him to become one of the nation’s rising inside linebackers known for his speed and coverage abilities.
Success In Waco
After catching the eye of head coach Dave Aranda at Baylor, Thomas transitioned into one of the program’s key defenders. He quickly became integral to the Bears’ defense during his time in Waco.
In his notable 2024 campaign, Thomas had one of the best defensive seasons in Baylor history. Starting all 13 games at inside linebacker while often playing with a cast due to injury, he recorded 114 tackles—seven for loss—and added 2.5 sacks along with three quarterback hurries and an interception returned for a touchdown. His consistency was evident, as he had four games with double-digit tackle counts.
Teaming up with Matt Jones that season allowed both players to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors—the first duo at Baylor since 2012 to each surpass 100 tackles in a single season.
Thomas continued this level of excellence into his final season at Baylor before ultimately hitting the portal, finishing with another solid tally of 99 tackles.
Fit In The Sip
As he transitions to Oxford under Coach Golding’s system, it is no question he is ready to thrive within the Rebels’ preferred 4-2-5 alignment as an inside linebacker. His precision on-field operations will be vital as Golding emphasizes both pass rush opportunities and strong secondary play.
Thomas’ ability as a sure-tackling linebacker who can limit offensive gains makes him an ideal addition to bolster Ole Miss’s defensive unit further.
With these Saturday evening additions through the transfer portal—especially Keaton Thomas—the Ole Miss Rebels are not just filling gaps but enhancing their roster with proven talent ready to make immediate impacts on the field. It’s clear that Ole Miss isn’t losing any momentum in the Golding Era of the portal. Welcome Back to the ‘Sip, Keaton.