Ole Miss filed lawsuits Monday seeking $550,000 from defensive end Princewill Umanmielen and $400,000 from offensive tackle Devin Harper, according to complaints filed in Lafayette County Circuit Court.
The university said the players signed revenue-sharing agreements that required repayment if they left before fulfilling their commitments. “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,” the university said in a statement.
In filings, Ole Miss said Umanmielen signed a revenue-sharing agreement at 10:02 p.m. on Jan. 3 and entered the transfer portal 17 days later. The university says it contacted him Jan. 22, issued a 30-day deadline notice on Feb. 22 and asked LSU to pay on March 12. Ole Miss said LSU declined to pay on March 18 and that the school has been unable to recoup the $550,000 despite repeated attempts.
Ole Miss says Harper signed a revenue-sharing agreement on Jan. 6, entered the transfer portal on Jan. 14 and signed with LSU two days later. The university says it requested payment the day he signed with LSU, issued a 30-day notice on Feb. 13 and contacted LSU on March 13; it says LSU declined to pay, and that repeated efforts to collect the $400,000 were unsuccessful.
Court records show Umanmielen’s case was assigned to Judge John Kelly Luther and Harper’s to Judge Kent Smith. Ole Miss football social media accounts posted graphics celebrating both players when they had agreed to return to the program, the university said.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
