Another layer has been added to the conversation surrounding the upcoming rivalry game between Ole Miss and LSU, and tensions have likely escalated.
Former Ole Miss and current LSU defensive end Princewill Umanmielen has been served with court papers related to a revenue-sharing contract buyout dispute with his former school. Umanmielen, according to a report from ESPN, was handed the legal documents in the parking lot of the LSU football facility on Wednesday.
According to the Lafayette County Circuit Court, Umanmielen was served with the plaintiff’s first set of interrogatories, requests for production of documents, and requests for admission.
Ole Miss first took legal action against Umanmielen and offensive guard Devin Harper in July. According to court documents, the players owe the university a combined $950,000. Umanmielen’s share is $550,000, while Harper’s is $400,000. The university alleged in its lawsuits against the players that there were penalties attached to breaking the terms of the contract within a 90-day window.
Both players are accused of transferring to LSU well within that window without returning the money owed to their former institution. Ole Miss officials added that the university attempted on multiple occasions to recoup the funds, but to no avail.
Here are the papers that have been served to former Ole Miss and current LSU defensive end Princewill Umanmielen https://t.co/pOoUgGmT7y pic.twitter.com/jf4olyIgII
— Caleb Salers (@calebsalersstm) September 16, 2026
“The University of Mississippi values its student-athletes and is committed to honoring all obligations made to them. In return, the university expects that same commitment from its student-athletes and their representatives in upholding their contracts,” an official statement from the university reads.
The timing of the papers being served to Umanmielen is peculiar, as it occurred a mere three days before the Rebels face the Tigers in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Umanmielen has notably been a force in Blake Baker’s defense so far this season. He has recorded a whopping 6 sacks in his first two games with LSU.
Ole Miss and LSU will kick off on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The game will air on ABC and participating SuperTalk Mississippi stations.