Pete Golding’s Ole Miss defense needed an immediate impact player to guard the best receiver on the other side, and they certainly got one with former Alabama and Louisiana transfer Trey Amos.

En route to first team All-SEC honors at season’s end, Amos racked up a career-high 50 tackles, four TFLs, three interceptions and one forced fumble playing his fifth and final season of college football. His defensive unit as a whole gained a lot of respect amongst the SEC, particularly on the line of scrimmage.

Amos is now on to bigger and better things as he tries to make a living off playing football. Amos turned some heads at Reese’s Senior Bowl practices back in January, despite choosing to forgo the game in exchange for focusing on the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, which began this week. Amos was one of 11 Ole Miss Rebels (program record) to be invited to participate.

Amos’ on-field workouts begin on Friday, Feb. 28, but he met with the media on Thursday optimistic about his preparation, as well as for the Ole Miss program that he’s leaving behind.

“These past few months, I’ve wanted to get stronger at the point of attack. That’s going to help me be a better tackler in this league,” Amos told reporters.

“It all started at Louisiana-Lafayette, understanding how to play cornerback and learning from seniors back then. They built my confidence going into Alabama and Ole Miss, trying to keep on improving from here.”

After recently wrapping up formal meetings with the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos, Amos was asked frequently about other people. When asked about the Broncos, Amos was quick to point out his admiration for Broncos defensive back former Alabama product and AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain, knowing that he has a blueprint that he can draw from.

“I really watch Patrick Surtain, Jaire Alexander. I love how patient (Surtain) is. I always try to keep that a motto with my game, trying to add things to my tool box. As far as (pulling) from Jaire, just being twitchy, trying to react fast to make plays and fly around.

Amos’ former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart is going through the same pre-draft process as he is. With Dart commanding a lot of the spotlight lately, what kind of endorsement did Amos give?

“You’re going to get a leader. He can change a whole culture in a team and produce,” Amos said. “That’s what he’s been doing since last year. He can definitely do that for an NFL team.”

As for Dart’s presumed heir behind center and his own heirs at corner?

“I have high hopes for (Austin Simmons), man. He’s a good kid. I just look forward to next season for him, just being that leader and stepping up… As far as the DB room stepping up, Chris Graves and TJ Banks, all those guys. I have high hopes for this season coming up for them.”

Ole Miss is currently in a situation where a lot of production has to be replaced in the secondary, with so many one-and-dones and veterans this past season.

On-field workouts for this year’s NFL Combine will take place started Thursday, Feb. 27 and will continue on through Sunday, March 2. The 2025 NFL Draft is set for April 24-26 and will take place in Green Bay, Wis. at Lambeau Field.