We may be in a golden age of Ole Miss football. The Rebels, led by head coach Lane Kiffin, are aiming to be, if not a dynasty, then at least an annual championship contender. The team has had 10-win seasons and New Year's Six Bowl appearances in two of the past three seasons. A record-setting 11-win campaign in 2023 capped off with a Peach Bowl win.
Success in the SEC is difficult, especially against the likes of Alabama and Georgia. It's Kiffin's willingness to adapt as he builds the roster that helps Ole Miss remain relevant nationally.
Transfer portal and NIL management are the keys to success in today's football world, and Kiffin has developed high school players, attracted transfer talent, and built what is arguably one of the most balanced teams in Ole Miss history. Organized.
Quarterback Jackson Dart, wide receivers Jordan Watkins and Tre Harris, and tight end Caden Prieskorn are just a few of the highly successful transfers that have transformed this football program. .
The team enters next season as a favorite to qualify for the new 12-team College Football Playoff, which could help make the Rebels a perennial contender for years to come. The Rebels hold the No. 1 spot in the 2024 transfer class, so many fans believe next season is the team's chance to win it all.
The transfer class is led by Texas A&M defensive lineman Walter Nolan. The team has a chance to revive the Landshark defense with Nolan and a number of other defensive recruits.
The football program is also retaining key players from its current roster. Ole Miss finds itself in a fortunate position as players like Dart, Harris, and Prieskorn (all of whom could have chosen to be taken in the NFL Draft) have decided to stay another year. Noticed. The coaching staff is retaining top talent while bringing in four- and five-star high school players and transfers to fill the gaps.
Jason Olson, a freshman computer science major, is excited about his future with Ole Miss football.
“The Ole Miss Rebels football team is in a great place because of Coach Kiffin,” Olson said. “We lost some players, but the players we brought in should be more than adequate to replace the players we lost. I'm very excited about the future of this program and the fact that I'm here now. .”
When Kiffin received his contract extension in mid-December 2023, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter expressed his gratitude to Kiffin, who has been with Ole Miss football since taking over Ole Miss football in December 2019. praised his achievements.
“Our football program has experienced unprecedented success under Coach Kiffin, and I couldn't be more excited about what the future holds for him under his leadership,” Carter said in a statement. He said this when he signed the extension. “In just four years, he has established our team as a consistent winner on track for a championship. With his continued investment in the program and the tremendous support of his collective, Grove His family is committed to providing Coach Kiffin with the resources he needs to compete at an elite level.”
After overtime, Kiffin praised the coaching staff and players.
“They've had a great record, winning 10 games in two of the last three seasons,” Kiffin said. “I think about where we were when we got here and where we are now and what's going on recruiting-wise for next year. It's really great to be a part of that.”
Brendan Keyes, a freshman accounting major, credits Kiffin with helping turn the football program around.
“The Ole Miss football program has a very bright future. Portal King (Lane Kiffin) is an absolute threat and a great coach,” Keyes said. “(He) turned a mediocre Ole Miss team into a top-10 team.”
Ole Miss has been on the cusp of greatness in two of the past three seasons. Kiffin has proven he values this program enough to build one of the best transfer portal classes and perhaps the best coaching staff in the country. All of this has revived a once-dormant fan base. Cooper Chapman, a freshman business major, said he thinks 2024 could be the Rebels' year.
“As I've been going to Ole Miss games, I've seen the worst of this team. I'll see what this team can accomplish during this period where I think this is their (best) chance to win. I'm really looking forward to it,” Chapman said. .
