The highly anticipated College Football 27 video game is just over a week away from its release. In the meantime, Ole Miss and Mississippi State fans have been given several teasers as to which of their favorite teams’ players stand out among a crowded field.
Starting with Pete Golding’s Rebels, Ole Miss had a whopping nine players rank in the top 10 at their respective positions following the team’s inaugural playoff run. Notably, standout running back Kewan Lacy has not only been recognized as a cover athlete, but he is also the No. 1 running back in the game. Lacy was graded 96 overall after a stellar debut campaign in Oxford, where he had 1,567 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns on 306 carries, ranking in the top five nationally in each of those categories.
Keeping things on the offensive side of the ball, a household name in the national college football scene, Trinidad Chambliss (93 overall), was ranked the No. 3 quarterback. Chambliss, after replacing an injured Austin Simmons in week three this past season, quickly became a fan-favorite, tallying nearly 4,500 all-purpose yards and 30 total touchdowns with just three turnovers. His play was spotlighted by creative, backyard football-style plays late in a Sugar Bowl win against Georgia.
Concluding the offense’s run in the top 10 is Luke Hasz (87 overall), who was ranked the No. 9 tight end. While his production was limited in his first season with the Rebels, Hasz is expected to take on a larger role now that Dae’Quan Wright is pursuing a professional career.
On the defensive side of the ball, Suntarine Perkins (92 overall) was ranked the No. 1 right outside linebacker. The Raleigh native racked up an impressive stat sheet in his junior season, recording 81 total tackles (41 solo), 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and an interception.
Mississippi natives continue to shine, with Houston native Will Echoles (92 overall) and Moss Point’s Jamarious Brown (89 overall) ranking among the 10 best defensive tackles in the game. Echoles, currently projected to be a first-round NFL Draft selection in 2027, had 68 total tackles (32 solo) and five sacks, while Brown logged 24 tackles (six solo) and a sack.
Rounding out the Ole Miss defense’s solid showing is Baylor transfer Keaton Thomas (89 overall). Thomas, ranked the No. 6 linebacker, was one of the most coveted transfers at his position this last cycle. During his sophomore campaign, he accounted for 99 tackles (62 solo), a sack, an interception, a fumble recovery, and three pass deflections, and is expected to be an instant impact player for Ole Miss in the fall.
A well-balanced team typically features stars in the special teams room, and Ole Miss has two — placekicker Lucas Carneiro (86 overall) and punter Oscar Bird (83). Carneiro, the No. 2 kicker, transferred to Ole Miss after being named the CUSA Special Teams Player of the Year in 2024. In his first season with the Rebels, he was nothing shy of clutch, knocking in 31 of 35 field goals, while making all 56 extra-point attempts. He even broke the Sugar Bowl’s longest field goal record — twice.
Australia native Oscar Bird (83 overall) came in as the No. 5 punter. He was a reliable asset for the Rebels when called upon to ensure a team’s next drive was not in favorable territory after the Ole Miss offense failed to either score or move the chains. Bird punted the ball 41 times, averaging 46 yards per boot, with a long of 64 yards. He pinned opposing offenses within their own 20-yard line 14 times.
Top Rebs in the game this year 🎮 @easportscollege pic.twitter.com/zGCtmFoDLv
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) June 26, 2026
Mississippi State did not have quite as many top 10 honorees, but the two Bulldogs given praise have certainly earned their recognition. For instance, Kelly Jones (91 overall) was widely known as a lockdown corner, as evidenced by his ranking as the No. 5 defensive back in the game.
Jones forewent a chance to go pro to play another year for Jeff Lebby. In 2025, he had 34 tackles (20 solo), two interceptions, and 14 pass deflections. More impressively, he allowed just 11 receptions on 38 targets, meaning opposing quarterbacks and wideouts had a mere 28.9% success rate against him. If that trend continues, Jones will stand to make a nice living in the NFL.
In the special teams room, punter Ethan Pulliam (84 overall) has made waves as the No. 2 player at his position. This past season, Pulliam displayed an iron boot. He punted the ball a total of 45 times, with an average of 46.8 yards and a long of 67 yards. He pinned opposing offenses within their 20-yard line 11 times.
While he was not listed as a top 10 quarterback, Macon native Kamario Taylor (83 overall) has given Mississippi State fans nothing but enthusiasm about what’s on the horizon. From making a 38-19 Egg Bowl loss somewhat palatable with a Houdini-esque touchdown run and a stellar showing at the recent Manning Passing Academy, Taylor has reignited a joy that has not been sustained at Mississippi State for quite some time.
The Dawgs Are In The Game 🎮
Top Dawgs In #CFB27 ⤵︎ pic.twitter.com/HFpqKhI8FJ
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) June 26, 2026
College Football 27 will be released on July 9. The game will be available for users with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC devices.
As for the actual football season, kickoff is rapidly approaching, with fans having to wait just over two more months before they get to see the Rebels and Bulldogs in action. Ole Miss will begin the upcoming campaign versus Louisville in Nashville on Sept. 6, while Mississippi State will host Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 5. Before that, Golding and Lebby will talk about the work they’ve done in the offseason at SEC Media Days.
