Ole Miss adds Troy Everett to 2026 offensive line transfer class

Ole Miss added center Troy Everett to its 2026 transfer class on Jan. 13, 2026, a move intended to shore up interior offensive line depth and bring experienced leadership to a unit facing turnover. Everett, who made 12 career starts at Oklahoma after transferring from Appalachian State, suffered a season-ending injury in September but is expected to have one season of eligibility with the Rebels.

The signing gives head coach and his staff a veteran option at center for the 2026 season. With only one year of eligibility anticipated, Everett is positioned as a short-term starter or an experienced backup who can stabilize the line while younger players develop. His 12 starts at a Power 5 program provide a baseline of game experience and position familiarity that coaching staff value when preparing a line to protect the pocket and open running lanes.

Everett’s arrival comes alongside other portal additions and returning linemen that together shape Ole Miss’s 2026 outlook. Those moves narrowed an expected position battle across the interior line and shifted development timelines for underclassmen on the roster. For local fans in Oxford and Lafayette County, the change matters because the offensive line often sets the tone for the Rebels’ offense at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium and influences game-day results that affect community energy on Saturdays.

Uncertainties remain. Everett’s season-ending injury raises questions about health and readiness, and his single-year eligibility limits long-term continuity. Coaches now must balance the immediate need for reliable snaps against the program’s desire to develop younger talent who will form the core of the line beyond 2026. How the staff deploys Everett could determine whether the Rebels lean on veteran experience to win now or prioritize a developmental approach that feeds future seasons.

Recruiting and roster management also factor in. A transfer like Everett allows the staff to plug a gap without using a scholarship on a multi-year project, but it also compresses playing time for returning linemen who had anticipated more reps. For local high school players and families watching Ole Miss recruiting, the move signals the program’s willingness to mix transfer experience with homegrown talent.

The takeaway? Everett is a pragmatic addition for a one-season boost at center, but his impact will hinge on health and how coaches balance short-term needs with developing Lafayette County’s next wave of linemen. Our two cents? Watch training camp and early fall snaps—the first month will tell whether this signing yields stability or simply buys a season.