BITTER DEPARTURE: Ole Miss LB Ashanti Cistrunk Announces Transfer to Alabama, Blames ‘Lack of Support’ – Fans Furious

BITTER DEPARTURE: Ole Miss LB Ashanti Cistrunk Announces Transfer to Alabama, Blames ‘Lack of Support’ – Fans Furious

BITTER DEPARTURE: Ole Miss LB Ashanti Cistrunk Announces Transfer to Alabama, Blames ‘Lack of Support’ — Fans Furious

By [Your Name]
Oxford, Mississippi – June 13, 2025

In a move shaking up the SEC and sending shockwaves through Rebel Nation, veteran Ole Miss linebacker Ashanti Cistrunk has officially announced his transfer to archrival Alabama. Even more explosive than the transfer itself was Cistrunk’s scathing exit message, where he accused Ole Miss of providing “a lack of support” both on and off the field.

“I gave everything to this program,” Cistrunk wrote in a now-viral Instagram post. “But when I needed support the most, I didn’t get it. That’s the truth. I’m excited to start fresh somewhere that believes in me.”

The statement ignited a firestorm online, with furious fans calling his exit both “a betrayal” and “the ultimate slap in the face,” given the historic rivalry between Ole Miss and Alabama.

A Veteran’s Departure

Cistrunk, a Mississippi native and key figure in the Rebels’ defense over the past several seasons, was expected to be a core part of the 2025 unit. Known for his leadership, experience, and sideline-to-sideline range, he led the team in tackles during the 2024 season and was widely respected among teammates.

His decision to transfer caught many off guard—especially considering his long-standing ties to the program. But according to sources close to the player, tensions had been brewing behind the scenes.

“He felt overlooked,” said one team insider. “He didn’t feel like the coaching staff had his back anymore, especially with all the new guys coming in from the portal. He thought his loyalty would count for more.”

“Lack of Support” — What Does It Mean?

Cistrunk didn’t elaborate in his post, but multiple sources suggest his frustration stemmed from a perceived drop in leadership opportunities, NIL attention, and communication with the coaching staff. As newer, high-profile transfers arrived at his position, Cistrunk reportedly felt pushed aside.

“There were promises made that weren’t kept,” one source close to Cistrunk said. “He waited his turn, played hard, and still felt like he was being treated like an afterthought.”

His decision to transfer to Alabama—Ole Miss’s most bitter rival—adds even more fuel to the fire.

“He could’ve gone anywhere,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “But Bama? That’s unforgivable.”

Rebel Nation Reacts: Anger, Betrayal, and Confusion

The reaction from the Ole Miss fanbase has been swift and emotional. Social media has exploded with criticism, memes, and heartbreak. Some fans burned Cistrunk jerseys on TikTok. Others pleaded for calm, noting the increasingly fluid nature of college football in the transfer era.

Still, many are left feeling blindsided.

“He was a Rebel. A leader. And now he’s walking into Tuscaloosa like none of that mattered,” one season ticket holder said. “It hurts.”

What’s Next?

Cistrunk is expected to compete immediately for a starting role at Alabama, who aggressively pursued him in the portal. With Ole Miss and Alabama set to face off this fall in what will now be a high-stakes, high-drama SEC clash, the storyline practically writes itself.