Sharif Denson is ready to show off his versatility

OXFORD – There were a few things that caught former Florida safety Sharif Denson’s eye about Ole Miss as he sorted through his options in the transfer portal.

In addition to the “amount of love” Ole Miss showed on his visit, head coach Pete Golding’s defense provided an opportunity for Denson to show off his versatility.

Denson, a Jacksonville native who was a four-star prospect out of high school, started 17 games over three season at Florida – including 11 in 2025. He made 97 tackles with the Gators with four pass breakups and an interception.

In his first meeting with Ole Miss’ media, Denson told reporters he was “always at the point of attack” at Florida. According to Pro Football Focus, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Denson played 245 snaps as a run defender and 229 in pass coverage. He took 46 snaps along the defensive line, 78 in the box, 57 at free safety and 327 in the slot, per PFF. He was listed on Florida’s depth charts as “utility" and said he largely played the STAR position, which is “a hybrid safety type that could play outside linebacker,” according to Bleacher Report.

At Ole Miss, playing the LION and RAM positions in Golding’s defensive scheme will allow him to play deeper in the defensive backfield in addition to playing close to the line.

“Here, it’s a LION and a RAM – they’re a STAR and weak safety mixed in between each other. So, I could show more versatility, and I liked that,” Denson said. “ … I wanted to do that.”

Denson was ranked as a three-star transfer by 247Sports and committed to Ole Miss on Jan. 4, just days before the Rebels played Miami in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl. Denson said he watched the play of safeties Wydett Williams Jr. and Kapena Gushiken in particular in that game, noting how he could fit into the Rebels’ scheme and be a playmaker.

When his future destination was still up in the air, Denson said it was important to figure out “the things you need in a school for you to go there.” For Denson, it was simple.

“More detail, as far as coverage and just switching up a little bit of things,” he said. “We might have been a little bit static at Florida. I feel like here, they go into a little more detail and they make a couple more adjustments.”