Ole Miss offensive lineman Carius Curne, a high-profile transfer and notable NFL prospect, was arrested and charged with six crimes in Arkansas. According to BroBible, the arrest, which was carried out by Arkansas State Police, includes charges related to a drug offense and fleeing. According to records from the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office, officers took Curne into custody at 5:11 PM on Saturday. Interestingly, the records also indicate he was released at 5:11 PM the very same day.
The specific charges filed against the 20-year-old athlete are fleeing, reckless driving, speeding, improper lane change, possession of a schedule six substance of less than four ounces, and possession of drug paraphernalia. If he is convicted of the drug charge, Curne faces a potential penalty of up to one year in prison, a $2,500 fine, and a mandatory six-month driver’s license suspension under Arkansas state law. This is a significant development for a player who was seen as a major building block for the Rebels.
Curne, who is a sophomore, moved to Ole Miss from LSU during the offseason. His transition into the program was not without its own drama. Back when he was preparing to leave LSU, he took to social media to accuse the Tigers of holding his paperwork hostage. This, combined with his status as one of the most expensive players in the college football transfer portal as of January, kept him in the headlines even before this recent legal trouble.
The Rebels’ O-line just got a whole lot more complicated for the fall
His athletic journey has been quite a rapid ascent. Curne is a native of Hughes, Arkansas, and he was once the No. 1 ranked recruit in the state and the 49th ranked player in the nation for the 2024 class. His background includes playing at Marion High School, where he was coached by Lance Clark. He was a consensus 4-star prospect who earned recognition as the No. 1 overall player in Arkansas.
During his junior year of high school, he graded out at 90 percent with 52 knockdowns and even managed to contribute two sacks while playing on the defensive line. He was also a first-team 6A East All-State selection in 2023 and participated in track and field, specifically competing in the shotput. It is worth noting that he did not even start playing organized football until his freshman year of high school.
The expectations for Curne at the collegiate level have been high. According to ESPN, “Curne doesn’t have the resume of some of Ole Miss’ top portal pickups but could end up being one of the top offensive linemen of the cycle if he can develop to his potential. The 6-5, 320-pound sophomore was the No. 133 overall recruit in the 2025 ESPN 300 and made four starts at left tackle and one start at right tackle during his true freshman season at LSU.”
The same report added, “It will be interesting see whether the Rebels prefer to play him at tackle or guard in his second year, but he should be a big man they’re depending on this fall.” The coaching landscape at the school also saw a shift, as Curne joined the Rebels just as Lane Kiffin took over the Tigers’ football program.
The Ole Miss football program is now being led by coach Pete Golding. The versatility Curne brings to the table, with his ability to slide between tackle and guard, makes him a valuable asset on the field. He was also selected for the West team of the Navy All-American Bowl in 2025, further highlighting his status as a top-tier talent. However, Curne’s arrest mirrors the legal trouble of basketball standout Aden Holloway, who was charged with felony drug possession.
It is clear that his development is a priority for the coaching staff, especially given the investment made in bringing him to the program.
Published: Apr 27, 2026 04:45 pm