Trey Amos is the epitome of what it means to be a star athlete in the age of the transfer portal.

He grew up in New Iberia, La., just 21 miles from the campus where he would begin his college career with the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. After three successful years in the Sun Belt Conference, he jumped at a chance to test himself against the best competition while playing for Nick Saban at Alabama.

But when Saban retired a year later, Amos was on the move again, joining the Ole Miss Rebels for his final college season.

Amos is in Mobile this week competing in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, which takes place Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium. And, while he’s proud to be representing the Rebels, he still feels a strong connection to his previous teams.

“Honestly, it’s all love. I didn’t see any beef,” Amos said of his departure from Louisiana then Alabama. “People knew I wanted to put myself in a better position. At the end of the day there’s no bad blood, it’s all love from both schools.”

When Amos began considering a move to Ole Miss, he had many players to turn to for input. That included two players who had followed a similar path.

“Once I hit the portal, Jaxson Dart hit me up and I got to talk to J.J. Pegues,” Amos said. “They were all great guys who brought me in. We all just trusted the process. We knew what we wanted to do.”

Both Dart (the quarterback who originally played for Southern Cal) and Pegues (a former Auburn defensive lineman/tight end/fullback) began their college careers at major programs before landing in Oxford.

That kind of movement is becoming increasingly common in college sports.

“I just feel like you have to put yourself in the best situation you can find,” Amos said. “As a person and as a player as well I showed that I want to become better. I felt that I could play at Alabama. Obviously, it took a lot of hard work and it was a big transition going from the Sun Belt to Alabama, but I made the most of it. I went to Ole Miss after gaining so much knowledge at Bama and added even more knowledge. So, I felt like I got the best out of all three schools that made me grow up.

“When I went to Bama, I felt like I needed to show my talents in the SEC. That showed again this year at Ole Miss. Now I’m going to try to build on that.”

Amos played in 34 games over three years at Louisiana, recording 59 tackles and one interception. At Alabama in 2023, he made 12 tackles while playing in 14 games with one start. He had a breakout year for Ole Miss last season.

He led the Rebels with 13 pass breakups, tied for the team lead with three interceptions and made 50 total tackles. He was first-team All-SEC as voted by the league coaches.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t make the 12-team playoff, but we finished strong,” Amos said. “It was a great season. We had a lot of ups and downs but that didn’t define us. That’s why we went out in that last game with a bang.”

After that 52-20 blowout of Duke in the Gator Bowl, Amos is now ready to begin another transition to the NFL. The journey begins in the Senior Bowl.

“I want to prove I can do it all,” Amos said. “Man coverage. Zone coverage. Come up and tackle. I want to show that I can fly around and be accountable. I’m just a technician and I want to get better at everything, just like I have every step of my career.”

Senior Bowl practices take place Tuesday-Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Practices are free and open to the public.

Kickoff for the 2025 Senior Bowl is at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, with television coverage on NFL Network. A limited number of tickets for the game remain available, and can be purchased at seniorbowl.com/tickets.

Senior Bowl 2025 game week schedule

Monday, Jan. 27

Fellowship of Christian Athletes Rally, Cottage Hill Baptist Church, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 28

Senior Bowl practices (open to public)

National team, Hancock Whitney Stadium, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

American team, Hancock Whitney Stadium, noon-2 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 29

Senior Bowl practices (open to public)

National team, Hancock Whitney Stadium, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

American team, Hancock Whitney Stadium, noon-2 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 30

Senior Bowl practices (open to public)

National team, Hancock Whitney Stadium, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

American team, Hancock Whitney Stadium, noon-2 p.m.

USA Health Doc Rock, Soul Kitchen, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 31

Saints Cheer Krewe clinic, Jaguar Training Center, noon-3 p.m.

— open to high school-aged cheerleaders and dancers

— cost, $75

Friday Night Street Party (Downtown Mobile)

— Player parade, 6 p.m.

— Free concert featuring Eli Young Band & Sammy Kershaw, Cathedral Square, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 1

Senior Bowl Fan Fest (free), South Lawn of Hancock Whitney Stadium, 10:30 a.m.

Legacy Tailgate HBCU Experience (free), South end of Jaguar Training Center, 10:30 a.m.

Path to the Draft players walk, outside Hancock Whitney Stadium, 11 a.m.

Senior Bowl game, Hancock Whitney Stadium, 1:30 p.m.

— performances by Jaguar Marching Band & Saints Cheer Krewe