Ole Miss Freshmen QB Wise and RB Yates Arrested on DUI Charges

Ole Miss football has faced a rough two weeks with law enforcement. Two Rebels players were arrested over the weekend on DUI charges.

Quarterback Rees Wise, an 18-year-old freshman from Austin, Texas, was pulled over Sunday morning by Oxford, Mississippi, police. Officers charged him with driving under the influence and reckless driving, according to the Clarion Ledger, which first reported the arrest. Wise, a three-star recruit, is low on the depth chart in his first semester at Ole Miss.

Running back Damarius Yates, a four-star freshman from De Kalb, Mississippi, drew similar charges the same day. The Lafayette County Sheriff's Department confirmed Yates faced DUI, reckless driving and speeding accusations. Ranked ninth among 2026 class running backs, Yates bonded out of jail like Wise.

Ole Miss had no comment as of publication. Underage drivers face DUI charges if their blood alcohol content exceeds 0.02 percent, below the 0.08 percent limit for those 21 and older.

The arrests cap a busy stretch after spring practice. Offensive lineman Carius Curne was arrested April 25 by Arkansas State Police for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, improper passing, reckless driving, fleeing on foot and speeding. The 6-foot-5, 330-pound tackle, who transferred from LSU, pleaded no contest to speeding, reckless driving and fleeing. He resolved other charges.

New head coach Pete Golding takes over after Lane Kiffin's move to LSU ahead of the Rebels' College Football Playoff run last year. Expectations run high in Oxford with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy returning. Chambliss sued the NCAA in Mississippi court, claiming a season at Ferris State should not count against his eligibility. A judge granted a preliminary injunction, and the Mississippi Supreme Court rejected the NCAA's appeal.