Ole Miss lands transfer linebacker who previously played for major rival

Ole Miss landed yet another transfer just before the beginning of the 2024 season. Head coach Lane Kiffin , appropriately dubbed as The Portal King, added some experience on the defensive side of the football with the addition of linebacker Rodney Groce Jr.

Groce is well-traveled as Ole Miss will be his fifth stop in his collegiate career. Groce committed to Mississippi State out of high school and was the No. 524 overall prospect in the 2020 class. He appeared in one game during the Bulldogs' 2020 campaign and transferred to Arizona State. However, Groce's stay in Tempe was short lived as he transferred back to Starkville after spring practice.

Groce saw action in four games during second stint at Mississippi State. He made the decision to transfer to East Mississippi for the 2022 season where Groce received All-MACCC honorable mention finishing third on the team with 71 tackles to go along with 6.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and two fumbles recovered.

The linebacker's most recent stop was with Jeff Traylor's UTSA Roadrunners where he made 11 tackles in six games. Groce, who played under Ole Miss defensive analyst Zac Arnett at Mississippi State, joins a linebacker room in Oxford with a surplus of talent.

Groce will have to get up to speed quickly if he intends to contribute at Ole Miss. At the end of the day, the Rebels aren't getting an impact player this close to the season, but perhaps Groce can add value through his experience and familiarity with Arnett.