Ole Miss’ Will Echoles Earns Outland Trophy Weekly Honor After Dominant LSU Performance

The Rebels’ defensive tackle recorded three tackles for loss and a sack during a 32-24 victory over No. 7 LSU.

Ole Miss defensive tackle Will Echoles has been named the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week after helping the eighth-ranked Rebels shut down one of the country’s most productive offenses.

Echoles registered five tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, and a quarterback pressure as Ole Miss defeated No. 7 LSU 32-24 before a record crowd at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The Football Writers Association of America announced the honor on Tuesday.

The junior became the first Ole Miss player to receive the weekly Outland Trophy recognition.

Echoles Disrupts LSU’s Offense

Echoles consistently penetrated the LSU backfield, leading a defensive front that limited the Tigers to 330 yards of total offense. LSU entered the contest averaging 586 yards per game, meaning the Rebels held the Tigers 256 yards below their season average.

The 6-foot-3, 315-pound lineman also helped limit LSU to 158 passing yards—approximately 200 fewer than the Tigers had been averaging.

Ole Miss’s defensive pressure ultimately helped produce the game-clinching turnover. With LSU threatening inside the Rebels’ territory and just over a minute remaining, Kam Franklin tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage before Jaylon Braxton intercepted it in the end zone.

The takeaway preserved the Rebels’ eight-point advantage and secured their 14th consecutive home victory, a streak tied for the second-longest active run in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

A Major Win for the Rebels

The victory improved Ole Miss to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play. It also gave the Rebels an early statement win against a top-10 opponent.

While Ole Miss’ offense generated enough points to stay ahead, Echoles and the defensive line played a central role in preventing LSU from completing its comeback.

His performance earned additional recognition shortly after the game. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was also named the Maxwell Award Player of the Week after throwing for 363 yards and accounting for three touchdowns against the Tigers.

Echoles Strengthens His Outland Trophy Case

A preseason first-team All-SEC selection, Echoles was already included on the 2026 Outland Trophy watch list before receiving the weekly award.

He entered the season following a campaign in which he started all 15 games and recorded 68 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks. He was also named the Sugar Bowl Defensive Most Valuable Player after producing five tackles, two tackles for loss, and two pass breakups against Georgia.

Ole Miss has never produced an Outland Trophy winner, although former Rebels defensive tackle Walter Nolen was a finalist in 2024. Offensive tackle Michael Oher was also a finalist in 2008.

The FWAA is scheduled to announce the 2026 Outland Trophy semifinalists on November 18, followed by the three finalists on November 24. The winner will be revealed during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN on December 11.

The formal trophy presentation will take place January 27, 2027, at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner in Omaha, Nebraska.

Established in 1946, the Outland Trophy recognizes college football’s top interior lineman on offense or defense. Ends and edge rushers are not eligible.