Ole Miss Files Lawsuits Against Two Former Players Who Transferred to LSU

By Staff ReporterJul 28, 20268:25 pmDiscuss the story36
Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
Ole Miss has officially filed breach-of-contract lawsuits against former Rebels Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper, both of whom transferred to LSU following Lane Kiffin's departure to Baton Rouge.

The lawsuits seek to recover money the school says is owed under revenue-sharing agreements the players signed while at Ole Miss.

According to multiple reports, Ole Miss contends the players failed to repay buyout provisions that were triggered when they left the program before fulfilling the terms of their agreements.

The combined amount at issue is reportedly close to $1 million, with Umanmielen's buyout estimated at roughly $590,000 and Harper's at around $407,000.

LSU officials refused to make payments for the players on March 18, stating that "they are not party to the contract," as reported by Ole Miss officials. Per ESPN:
quote:

"The University of Mississippi values its student-athletes and is committed to honoring all obligations made to them," the university said in a statement provided to ESPN on Tuesday. "In return, the university expects that same commitment from its student-athletes and their representatives in upholding their contracts. Before transferring to another institution, student-athletes Devin Harper and Princewill Umanmielen signed revenue sharing agreements that included a provision requiring them to compensate the university with a predetermined amount if they departed before fulfilling their commitment.

"The University of Mississippi has a responsibility to enforce its contractual terms, and this position is consistent with the actions of other institutions in the current landscape of college athletics. The university attempted to amicably resolve this matter prior to filing."
Devin Harper Timeline:

January 6, 2026: Signed a revenue-sharing agreement with Ole Miss.

January 14, 2026: Entered the transfer portal.

January 16, 2026: Signed a scholarship with LSU and received a payment request letter from Ole Miss.

February 13, 2026: Reached the 30-day payment deadline with no response from Harper.

March 12, 2026: Ole Miss contacted LSU to request payment on Harper's behalf.

March 18, 2026: LSU denied payment, stating they were not a party to the contract.

July 27, 2026: Ole Miss filed a civil lawsuit for breach of contract in the Circuit Court of Lafayette County.

Princewill Umanmielen Timeline:

January 3, 2026: Signed a revenue-sharing agreement with Ole Miss.

January 20, 2026: Entered the transfer portal.

January 21, 2026: Signed a scholarship with LSU.

January 22, 2026: Ole Miss sent a letter requesting payment (no response).

February 19, 2026: Reached the 30-day payment deadline with no response.

March 12, 2026: Ole Miss contacted LSU to request payment.

March 18, 2026: LSU denied the payment request.

July 27, 2026: Ole Miss filed a breach of contract lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Lafayette County.

The legal action marks one of the first major tests of college football's new revenue-sharing era and adds another chapter to the growing rivalry between Ole Miss and LSU following Kiffin's move. The outcome could have significant implications for how schools enforce player contracts and transfer-related buyout clauses moving forward.
36 Comments
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tigerfoot18 hours
I have no problem w any of this. You signed a contract. The terms should be met
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Spankum17 hours
Agreed
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lsucoonass6 hours
Agreed, but what are the terms of the “commitment”? If it’s vague in the contract then that’s the university’s fault

I’m gonna assume lsu would have read the contract prior to having them come over
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Jabontik4 hours
Just hope they can get one of those good impartial Mississippi judges
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TBoy17 hours
The article speaks of buyouts but does not explicitly say that the students were paid anything by Ole Miss. if they were paid, pay it back. If they were not paid, OM is out of line.
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HubbaBubba16 hours
There were specific buyout penalties stipulated in the contract. Ole Miss is on solid legal ground
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The student athletes were not paid one single dime. What Ole Miss is suing for is more like a fine for not following through and staying with the Ole Miss football program.
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SippyCup15 hours
Bad look for OM. Players will think twice before signing with them.
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mla010013 hours
Ole Miss, shooting themselves in the foot again! They wonder why recruits don’t want to go there!?! SMH
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Polycarp8 hours
Yet OM pooches a LB from Clemson who was on campus and in class already. They want it both ways
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jkylejohnson9 hours
The “my daddy will sue you” dorks are grown ups now. Recruits all over the land just scratched ole miss off their list.
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ouflak8 hours
If they were paid money, then they have to pay it back. If they were paid, and simply changed their minds as to where they want to work, then the 13th Amendment, and they cannot be forced into debt slavery.
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T1gerNate18 hours
They need to remove that MFer to federal court no chance in hell they get a fair trial in Lafayette county. Not that the little federal court off the square will be much better!!!!!
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jp4lsu8 hours
Can't blame OM. If money changed hands and then 2 weeks later you go to another school, then you owe them money. The media will use this to foster more hate at Kiffin and LSU.
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WHATDOINO6 hours
It didn’t change hands. They are going after buyout money. Not paid sum
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burke98510 hours
Bitter ex's
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FATBOY TIGER7 hours
This is fine.
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ouflak8 hours
If they were paid money, then they have to pay it back. If they were not paid any money, and simply changed their minds as to where they want to work, then the 13th Amendment, and they cannot be forced into debt slavery.
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Nomadic Bengal17 hours
Come and get the money...I have it right here for ya!
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TigerGrad0317 hours
Feels like the payment amount will be covered by the LSU boosters, but the university couldn't legally pay the amount without it potentially being used against them. This should be the expected sequence of events. I expect they will settle out of court. That said, note to all Ole Miss players...don't sign rev share agreements with a unverisity that will try to underpay you and lock you in a contract. Explore your portal options and then sign when you've gotten your market value.
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Stew25815 hours
Did they pay the buyout to Clemson for that LB?
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WHATDOINO6 hours
There was no money that exchanged hands. This is all buyout clause and contract language they are after. Right or wrong, this is a terrible look and it’s like 900k. That’s not worth it for the bad publicity and negative recruitment that will follow. It’s little man syndrome at its finest
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SOL26 hours
This should help OM recruit 5 stars
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Popstiger16 min
If this was a revenue sharing agreement for television why did OM pay them $1M dollars in 1 week. Nobody is dumb enough to pay someone in advance for revenues they haven’t come close to receiving yet. Maybe OM is I guess.
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ChatGPT of LA3 hours
Its not really a test of the system. Its contract law and if worded correctly, pretty simple. If they had a buyout clause, then that is the law. NO way they should be able to keep money. They left basically a week later
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LSUNV4 hours
This is going to be funny if they rule in favor for OM, then Clemson going to come knocking for the same reason. You can’t make this stuff up! I agree something has to be done but this ain’t the way to get it done
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Those players will repay ole piss sept 19 lol
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