The University of Mississippi has launched legal action against two of its former football athletes, Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper, for alleged contract violations. These civil suits, initiated on July 27 in Lafayette County circuit court, aim to recover close to $1 million from the players following their transfer to LSU.
The core of the lawsuits revolves around a breach of contract, specifically concerning the players' departures after the 2025 season. Princewill Umanmielen, a defensive end who led the Rebels with nine sacks in 2025, and offensive lineman Devin Harper, both signed updated revenue sharing agreements with Ole Miss in early January. These agreements, as detailed in court documents obtained by the Clarion Ledger, included specific penalties for voluntarily terminating the contract within a 90-day early-termination period.
Umanmielen's agreement was signed around January 3, and Harper's on January 6. Both players subsequently transferred to LSU, with Harper signing with the Tigers on January 16 and Umanmielen on January 21, thereby breaching their agreements within the stipulated period. Ole Miss is seeking $550,000 from Umanmielen and $400,000 from Harper, in addition to legal expenses incurred from the lawsuits.
The university issued a statement on July 29, affirming its dedication to its student-athletes while also emphasizing the importance of upholding contractual obligations. According to Ole Miss, attempts were made to resolve the matter amicably before resorting to legal action. This proactive stance reflects a broader trend in college athletics where institutions are increasingly enforcing contractual terms with student-athletes, particularly in light of transfers and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) considerations.
The timeline provided by Ole Miss illustrates the progression of events. For Harper, the sequence of events began with his signing the revenue sharing agreement on January 6, followed by his entry into the transfer portal on January 14, and his scholarship signing with LSU on January 16. Ole Miss sent a letter requesting payment the same day, which went unanswered. After a 30-day deadline passed on February 13 without a response, Ole Miss contacted LSU on March 12, seeking payment on Harper's behalf. LSU declined, citing their non-involvement in the contract. Consequently, Ole Miss filed the lawsuit on July 27, simultaneously contacting Harper and LSU to avoid further costs.
Similarly, Umanmielen signed his revenue sharing agreement on January 3, entered the transfer portal on January 20, and signed with LSU on January 21. Ole Miss's attempts to secure payment via letters and subsequent contact with LSU mirrored the process followed for Harper, ultimately leading to the filing of the lawsuit on July 27. These lawsuits highlight the evolving landscape of college sports, where contractual agreements between universities and student-athletes are becoming more formalized and rigorously enforced.
This legal action underscores the university's commitment to protecting its interests and ensuring adherence to agreements with its athletes. The cases also shed light on the increasing scrutiny surrounding player transfers and the financial implications tied to such moves in the competitive collegiate sports environment.
