The Grove Report

Ole Miss CB Deshawn Gaddie Rated No. 1 Returning SEC Cornerback in 2023

Ole Miss Rebels coach Lane Kiffin found another gem via the NCAA Transfer Portal this spring.

Ben King

Pro Football Focus released rankings for the highest-graded returning cornerbacks in the Southeastern Conference on Thursday, and only one Ole Miss Rebel made the cut. Ole Miss cornerback Deshawn Gaddie was rated as the No. 1 returning SEC cornerback with a PFF grade of 84.8 after transferring from the North Texas Mean Green in January.

Gaddie leads all returning SEC cornerbacks, followed by Alabama Crimson Tide Kool-Aid Mckinstry (82.5), Auburn Tiger DJ James (82.3), Georgia Bulldog Javon Bullard (80.5), LSU Tiger Zy Alexander (79.9), Tennessee Volunteer Gabe Jeudy-Lally (79.1), South Carolina Gamecock O'Donnell Fortune (78.9), Arkansas Razorback Dwight McGlothern (77.2), Missouri Tiger Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (76.9), and LSU Tiger Darian Chestnut (76.3).

PFF grades are determined on a play-by-play basis and quantify how much an individual player "contributes to production" on every snap.

In four seasons with North Texas, Gaddie recorded 148 total tackles, two TFLs, two interceptions, 21 passes defended, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. The senior out of Indianapolis, Ind., was a three-star recruit in the Mean Green's 2019 signing class and brings a veteran presence to the Ole Miss cornerback room. 

The lengthy 6-foot-1, 190-pound cornerback will join fellow senior transfer Zamari Walton and returning senior Deantre Prince in patrolling the Ole Miss secondary this fall under new defensive coordinator Pete Golding.

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Ben King
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