Pete Golding feels ‘fortunate’ to have two First Team Preseason All-SEC players back at Ole Miss

TAMPA – Ole Miss was one of the big winners of this week’s Southeastern Conference Media Days and continued the positive momentum into the 2026 season on Friday. The SEC announced its Preseason All-SEC teams as well as the projected order of finish as voted on by the members of the media that attended in Tampa. The Rebels were predicted to finish third in the SEC behind Georgia and Texas, receiving six first place votes. But more importantly is seven Ole Miss players landed on the All-SEC Preseason Teams, including a trio of First-Team honors. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was was First Team quarterback and Kewan Lacy was First Team running back, joining Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy. Considered as one of the top quarterback-running back duo in the nation, this week also marked the launch of their joint Heisman campaign by Ole Miss. First-year head coach Pete Golding feels “fortunate” to have them back in the fold but also not worried about all the preseason hype and accolades coming Chambliss and Lacy’s way. “I just have no concern with the ego being an issue because I know how they’re wired and their mentality and they know what it takes,” Golding said on Wednesday when talking with members of the local media. “I’m very fortunate that we have a returning quarterback. Very fortunate that we have an All-American running back returning, as well in my first year. Super excited. I’m happy to have them.” Will Echoles landed on the First Team Defense at defensive line. Suntarine Perkins made it on the Second Team Defense at linebacker while Kam Franklin was named a Third Team at defensive line. Patrick Kutas was named Third Team at offensive line while Lucas Carneiro was named Second Team placekicker and kickoff specialist. Below is the Predicted Order of Finish in the SEC Georgia Texas Ole Miss Texas A&M LSU Alabama Oklahoma Tennessee Florida Missouri South Carolina Auburn Vanderbilt Kentucky Mississippi State Arkansas