Transfer S/LB Tamarion McDonald Flips From Ole Miss to Louisville

The Ole Miss Rebels lost former Tennessee Volunteer transfer Tamarion McDonald to an ACC program on the rise on Monday.

OXFORD, Miss. -- The Ole Miss Rebels officially lost the commitment of former Tennessee Volunteers safety/linebacker Tamarion McDonald less than a month after the hybrid defender committed to Lane Kiffin's program. 

On Monday, On3 placed a prediction for the former Vol to flip to the Louisville Cardinals. The potential flip was announced via X (formerly Twitter) and can be viewed here. The Memphis, Tenn., native is currently rated as the No. 25 safety in the NCAA Transfer Portal, per On3's rankings after totaling 95 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, 10 pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in the last two seasons.

Tennessee defensive back Tamarion McDonald (12) celebrates on the field during a football game between Tennessee and Austin Peay at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023 :: © Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

In four seasons with the Volunteers, the former three-star recruit racked up 115 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, one sack, four interceptions, 12 pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. McDonald proved to be a Swiss army knife in Tennessee's defense, as he played at the STAR position, meaning he was a hybrid safety who could also line up at outside linebacker.

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The Rebels could be in the market for another proven hybrid defender, as this report comes on the heels of Ladarius Tennison's announcement that he would be entering the portal last Friday. Tennison also has experience at safety and linebacker, but started to get more reps at the latter position under defensive coordinator Pete Golding.

A decommitment from McDonald leaves the Rebels with four transfer defensive backs: Louis Moore, Tahveon Nicholson, Key Lawerence, and Decamerion Richardson.