Ole Miss Serves Lawsuit Papers to LSU Player Days Before Rival Game
The breach-of-contract lawsuit against defensive end Princewill Umanmielen was delivered to him at LSU's facility.
Ole Miss served breach-of-contract lawsuit papers to LSU defensive end Princewill Umanmielen at the Tigers' football facility on Tuesday, just days before the highly anticipated matchup between the two rivals. The legal action adds another layer of tension to the upcoming game, which also marks coach Lane Kiffin's return to Oxford.
Umanmielen is one of several players who followed Kiffin from Ole Miss to LSU after the coach's departure from the Rebels at the end of the 2025 season. In July, Ole Miss filed a lawsuit against Umanmielen and offensive lineman Devin Harper, seeking approximately $1 million in unpaid buyouts, along with legal fees. Umanmielen's portion of the claim is $550,000, while Harper faces a $400,000 claim.
According to court records, Umanmielen received interrogatories, requests for production of documents, and requests for admission on Tuesday. Ole Miss officials stated they had no further comment beyond their initial statement on the matter. LSU officials were reportedly aware that Ole Miss intended to serve Umanmielen this week.
The timing of the legal filing is significant, as No. 8 Ole Miss is scheduled to host No. 7 LSU on Saturday. This game is considered one of the most anticipated regular-season contests of the year, and it will be Kiffin's first time back at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium since leaving the Rebels. Harper has not yet been served legal papers in the case.
Sources suggest that the lawsuit may be aimed more at holding LSU accountable for its revenue-sharing cap, which is reportedly $950,000, rather than solely recouping funds from the former players. Ole Miss alleges that both Umanmielen and Harper breached their revenue-sharing contracts by entering the transfer portal and signing with LSU within 90 days of agreeing to return to Ole Miss. Umanmielen reportedly signed a contract to return on January 3 but entered the transfer portal on January 20, subsequently signing with LSU. Harper allegedly signed to return on January 6, entered the portal eight days later, and committed to his new team on January 16.
Umanmielen, who previously played two seasons at Nebraska before transferring to Ole Miss, currently leads the nation in sacks with five and is tied for first in tackles for loss with 6.5. Harper has not yet started a game for LSU.