Former 4-star Ole Miss cornerback Miles Battle transfers to Utah

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LOS ANGELES — As Utah prepares for the Rose Bowl against Penn State, the program got some welcome news Friday morning.

Former Ole Miss cornerback Miles Battle announced on Twitter that he was transferring to Utah for his last season of eligibility. In his tweet, Battle said: "To a new year.. With new beginnings #GoUtes."

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound corner is a former four-star wide receiver out of Houston, Texas, who has one year of eligibility left as he looks to make the starting roster for Utah. He joins an already crowded room that includes starters Zemaiah Vaughn and JaTravis Broughton, in addition to incoming freshmen CJ Blocker and Smith Snowden.

But Battle's experience and length should be a big upgrade for the Utes, who lost All-American Clark Phillips III early to the NFL draft. Battle finished the 2022 season with 38 total tackles, four pass breakups, one forced fumble and an interception for the Rebels.

Battle spent the first two years at Ole Miss as a wide receiver before switching over to defense for his last three years as a defensive back.

The Houston native is the third transfer Utah has picked up since the portal opened up in December. Since then, Utah added former Stanford linebacker Levani Damuni and former BYU defensive end Logan Fano.