Mike Bianco and the Ole Miss Rebels have landed a commitment from Illinois State outfielder Daniel Pacella, he revealed via social media on Saturday.
Pacella, a First-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection, started in 56 games for the Red Birds last season on his way to a career year with the program.
The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder logged 59 RBI, which became the seventh-most in a single season in program history, while also leading Illinois State with a .355 batting average.
He had 41 extra-base hits during the 2025 season, including 20 home runs. The home run count is the second-most in a single season in program history.One of the most decorated players in Illinois State baseball history, Pacellla was a back-to-back all-conference selection during his time with the program.
He’ll be a player to keep tabs on in the 2025 MLB Draft with the Ole Miss Rebels looking to get him to Oxford for the 2026 season.
Ole Miss has now landed three commitments in 72 hours with the program red-hot in the NCAA Transfer Portal market.Pacella wrapped up his time at Illinois State second all-time in career home runs with 45 total and RBI with 169 across three seasons.The Additions [2]:
No. 1: Grant Richardson – Pitcher [Grand Canyon]
Richardson, a left-hander out of Arizona, missed the entire 2025 season due to injury, but shined during the 2024 season for his Grand Canyon squad.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder came out of the bullpen for first six appearances of the season before developing into a top-of-the-rotation pitcher and starting his final eight games.
Richardson had the highest strikeout rate per nine innings in Grand Canyon’s all-time history at 12.43 (min. 50 innings
