The Grove Report

Rebels Add Veteran DB Via Transfer Portal In FAU's Teja Young

Ole Miss adds another former All-Conference USA player to its roster prior to the start of the 2023 season.

Cole Thompson

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A Young duo could be roaming Ole Miss' secondary in 2023. And no, not "young" in age. 

Florida Atlantic defensive back Teja Young officially pledged his commitment to the Rebels Tuesday, posting his pledge to Twitter account. Young elected to enter the transfer portal last month after working out under new coach Tom Herman. 

A former commit under then-Owls and current Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, Young registered 42 tackles and seven interceptions in 31 games over the past three seasons. Since 2020, he's also recorded four pick-sixes, the most in FAU history. 

Last season for the Owls, Young recorded 48 tackles, a forced fumble and two interceptions. His best season came in 2021 when he registered a career-high 56 tackles and three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. For his efforts, he garnered first-team All-Conference USA honors. 

The addition of Young should provide more than just veterans to a defense that ranked 55th nationally in coverage last season (219.8 yards per game). Ole Miss allowed 22 touchdowns through the air in 2022 and only totaled eight interceptions, the fifth-fewest among SEC teams. 

Young should pair opposite former transfer Isheem Young, who led the secondary in tackles (66) after spending two seasons at Iowa State. The Rebels will also be under new defensive direction by former Alabama coordinator Pete Golding. 

Ole Miss continues to add veteran talent via the portal entering summer workouts. Last weekend, former UTSA and first-team All-C-USA receiver Zakhari Franklin committed to the program after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. 

Young's commitment marks the third former C-USA first-team player to join the Rebels following an 8-5 season in Oxford. Along with Young and Franklin, Ole Miss added former Louisiana Tech receiver Tre Harris. 

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Cole Thompson
COLE THOMPSON

Cole Thompson is a reporter and columnist covering the NFL and college sports for SI's Fan Nation. A 2016 graduate from The University of Alabama, follow him on Twitter @MrColeThompson

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