Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin meets the press for the first time prior to the 2024 season: Part Two

Yesterday, we had the first half of Lane Kiffin’s first press conference Wednesday of the year as Ole Miss heads toward the promising 2024 season. Now, part two.

Kiffin is proud of the way the transfer players have fit in with the team at this point.

“We valued heavily in our evaluations who they are and how are they going to fit versus ‘here’s the athlete – let’s ‘go.’ To me, it has to be the right eval or it won’t work,” he explained. “We have put a lot into guys who fit and we have gotten the right guys doing it that way.”

“We had a lot of question marks last year after the Alabama and Georgia games as far as how we looked compared to them. I think we have answered some of those questions. That doesn’t mean we are going to win, but if you don’t have length and size, it is hard to go a whole year and play at a peak level because the lack of size can get you at times in some games. During our time here, that has shown up against certain teams. Now, we feel like we have a chance.”

Kiffin also believes having more quality players is nothing but a good thing.

“We don’t know, for instance, who will be starting on the offensive line because it is more competitive than ever, but that’s a good thing,” he stated. “I am less likely to predict now who our starters are going to be than a year ago when I had a good idea after spring ball.

“We could basically predict our starters before but not now. I can’t tell you who it might be on this squad and that includes the offensive line. The wide receivers are like that as well. We have a lot of good players there. The bottom line is that winning overrides any individual’s stat line. There’s not a way all these guys are going to have gigantic statistical years. It can’t happen – not enough balls.”

He added a caveat about Ole Miss transfer Juice Wells.

“Juice has rehabbed really well and trained really well. He seems to be highly competitive and really wants to get better,” added Lane. “I think we are about to see the best version of Juice and I am very pleased with him.”

Related : Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin meets the press for the first time prior to 2024 season: Part One

Lane has been very open about the leadership role that quarterback Jaxson Dart has taken with this ’24 team, from helping retain players to helping recruit players, both high school and transfer, to leading drills, etc., but what about the defensive side of the ball? Who are Kiffin’s defensive leaders?

“There are several who could be, but J.J. Pegues for sure,” he quickly stated. “J.J. was big, like Jaxson, investing a lot of time with players and talking to guys about returning and talking to guys about joining the team. I’d start with him. Other will emerge as August wears on, but he’s a constant like Dart.”

The Rebels have quite a few returning players who have been with Kiffin for more than one year. That is certainly a benefit.

“We’ve done a lot of groundwork in the past couple years on the culture thing and it has stuck with the returning players,” he explained. “It’s important to have guys who have been here for a long time, like Jaxson and J.J. They know our expectations and they know how we train.

“It is a big benefit to have those guys with multiple years to help guide the guys who haven’t been here before.”

This year, all personnel that is under the Ole Miss football umbrella, basically – analysts, recruiting analysts – can help with on-the-field coaching. What is Kiffin’s take on that new rule?

“I think it’s good. It’s like the NFL which is the way college ball has moved to with the rules and other things,” he stated. “Things like coach-to-helmet communication and free agency. Those are NFL tools. Now they are college tools as well.

“It always seemed odd to me, and stupid, that a coach would be on staff in a capacity other than on-the-field coaching and he couldn’t help a player who asked for help. Are you going to tell a doctor he can’t help someone if he sees someone in need?

“If a player comes up to a coach now and wants help, that coach – even if he is an analyst or whatever – can help him within the rules. It’s a good rule.”

And finally, the $64,000 question. What about WR Deion Smith?

“He’s not here today,” he smirked.

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