The air was thick with anticipation, charged with the electric hum of plenty gathered in the Alamodome. It was my annual recruiting trip to San Antonio for the Navy All-American Combine. In one corner, athletes stretched, their muscles glistening under the fluorescent lights; in another, coaches and scouts lined the sidelines. This place pulsed like a living organism—a cauldron of dreams where young men aspired to carve their names into history.
Will Echoles stood amidst this vibrant chaos, his heart thumping not just from adrenaline but from purpose. A kid out of Houston, Mississippi—a small town that often faded into the background—he wore his heritage like armor. He was here not merely to showcase his talent but to uplift an entire state that too often felt overlooked on the grand stage of college football. But it would be here I would first have the opportunity to witness a defining moment that would change his life and career.
As the whistle blew sharply, slicing through the noise like a knife, Will took off downfield during drills. Instinctively blocking out everything except for the rhythm of his feet pounding against turf, it became evident there was something extraordinary about him; it wasn’t just raw talent—it was an unyielding work ethic that shone brighter than any spotlight aimed at him. He had arrived, and if you didn’t know his name before this moment, you were about to.
Months passed swiftly until December arrived again—the month when dreams coalesced into reality as Will signed on the dotted line, committing to play for Ole Miss Rebels. He would return to San Antonio in his final high school game as an All-American. Will played not just for himself but for those who believed in him back home—the friends who cheered him on from cramped living rooms filled with pride and hope.
In that moment under those bright lights once more, he wasn’t just representing Houston or even Mississippi; he embodied every dreamer who dared to chase greatness against all odds. Now he would take it to the SEC as a Rebel.
Fast forward two years later: Will has stood as an anchor on defense for Ole Miss amidst preparations for their CFP semifinal match-up against No. 10 Miami at the Fiesta Bowl Thursday night.
Sunday evening, the air was thick with anticipation as Will Echoles joined the media ahead of one of the biggest stages, not just for him, but for his brothers in arms. The stakes are high, and the weight of Ole Miss rest on their shoulders. It was evident in his expression—focused, determined, driven by a shared purpose. They are ready to rewrite their story, despite the doubts that had shadowed them through seasons where victory felt like a distant dream.
“When there is a ‘Will Echoles,’ there is always a way,” I like to say. That mantra came full circle as he recalled the Sugar Bowl win, where he never flinched or faltered to come up with big plays and even was named the defensive MVP. “When opportunity came, I had to capitalize and take away the ball!” His relentless spirit was why he and the Rebels found themselves on this path; they never backed down from challenges but instead seized every chance to make things happen.
Echoles understood that to complete their mission, they needed to reshape narratives—starting with himself. “It’s just a part of my plan for my career,” he said earnestly. “developing and getting better each and every year until I get to the position I want to be in. I just thank God for allowing me to play high plate and giving my abilities.”
Gratitude filled his voice as he acknowledged the gift of playing at such a high level and honing his abilities.
As fate would have it, Echoles stood at yet another crossroads—not only ready to shine on the field but also eager to represent his home state. :Just happy to put on for my home state,” he said. “A lot of people put down Mississippi, and I hope Mississippi can recruit better because of what I put out there.”
It might sound cliché, but it rang true: The Rebels may not have received everything they thought they wanted, yet they got precisely what they needed—a fierce determination embodied by Echoles himself with head coach Pete Golding, who has brought the focus and purpose back to the game of football and, most importantly, his players. The Rebels now head to the desert to get one step closer to their National Championship dream! But with the heart of a Rebel, nothing can stop you! Are you ready?