Ole Miss ended its strong season with a 31-27 loss to Miami in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl. The Rebels finished 15-2 and aim to build on their success next season, despite losing four top receivers to graduation and the transfer portal.
With significant changes ahead, the program faces a crucial offseason.
Ole Miss Targets Alabama Transfer Isaiah Horton to Rebuild WR Corps
Responding to these challenges, a college football analyst believes Ole Miss is in good hands for the 2026 season under head coach Pete Golding. Their outlook could improve further if they succeed in securing the commitment of Alabama transfer wide receiver Isaiah Horton.
After the national semifinal loss to Miami, the Rebels part ways with key seniors: wide receivers Harrison Wallace III, De’Zhaun Stribling, and tight end Dae’Quan Wright. Wallace, Stribling, and Wright made up most of the Rebels’ receiving yards this season, combining for 2,380 of the team’s 4,700 yards in 2025. Replacing them will be a big challenge for returnees and new recruits under Pete Golding.
The loss of senior receivers is compounded by reports that Ole Miss’ sixth-best receiver, Winston Watkins, may enter the transfer portal. As a true freshman, Watkins had 26 catches for 373 yards and a touchdown. All these departures put the Rebels’ receiver slot wide open. With this situation in mind, Biggs has a former SEC rival on his radar, one who could likely give Golding and new offensive coordinator John David Baker a big lift when they sign him up for next season.
Isaiah Horton, a Nashville native, transferred to Alabama as a junior after two seasons with Miami. The 6’4″ receiver played in all 15 Crimson Tide games, catching 42 passes for 511 yards and eight touchdowns. Overall, Horton has played 44 games with Miami and Alabama, totaling 1,301 yards and 14 TDs in three seasons. He could give Ole Miss a top receiver eager to boost his NFL draft stock.
Biggs expressed the view that it is imperative for Golding to look to the transfer portal. According to him, getting Horton’s commitment to play for the Rebels is essential.
“New offensive coordinator John David Baker aims to accelerate the offense, emphasizing pace and tempo, which requires a strong receiver corps. Furthermore, Mississippi could return to the College Football Playoff next season. Now, the team will use the transfer portal strategically after their recent postseason run,” Biggs said.
MORE: Alabama’s Transfer Portal Priorities Under Kalen DeBoer
Horton is the second-best wide receiver available in the transfer portal, ranking ninth overall, according to 247 Sports. Various teams are expected to pursue him following his announcement that he will try the portal again after playing one full season with Alabama.
However, Ole Miss must act fast to acquire the lanky receiver, as there were reports that Mike Elko’s Texas A&M is interested in signing him up for the 2026 season. According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Horton is in the process of scheduling a visit to Aggieland. The trip would be his first since entering the transfer portal on Thursday.
Aggies Wire’s Cameron Ohnysty pointed out that the wide receiver should be at the top of Elko’s priority list. This is due to his frame and physicality at the wide receiver position. Horton’s final destination could be known on Jan. 16, when the transfer portal closes for all college football teams.
