Ole Miss Lane Kiffin Looking For 'Best Players' In Transfer Portal Heading Into 2024
What exactly is Lane Kiffin looking for in the transfer portal? Even if he doesn't know just yet, he's sure to find someone who fits the criteria.
The portal has presented countless top-notch names for Ole Miss since Kiffin arrived in 2020. Jaxson Dart, Dayton Wade, Tre Harris and Jared Ivey are just a few players who have joined the party in Oxford after beginning their college careers elsewhere.
This year, Kiffin looks to be swinging big, especially on the defensive side. No longer will the No. 11 Rebels settle for league average in the portal.
Not when the future looks promising in Oxford beginning in 2024.
"It's kind of always been more of a model of, you know, the best available players because you still don't know your rosters constantly changing nowadays," Kiffin said earlier this week.
Kifin's ability to sell the vision goes both ways. More recruits are considering joining the Rebels than ever before. More importantly, fewer players are looking to leave.
And departing Ole Miss comes in multiple facets. Some will depart and enter the portal for a fresh start elsewhere. Others will simply head to the NFL draft and forgo a final season of eligibility.
Nov 18, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin (left) talks with Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) during a time out during the first half against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
© Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Entering their Peach Bowl matchup with No. 10 Penn State, Kiffin said no players have opted out yet. More players, including Harris, Ivey and receiver Jordan Watkins, have all announced their intent to return to 2024.
Ole Miss could be a player in the College Football Playoff next season now with 12 teams getting the nod. Add in a more favorable schedule and perhaps an SEC championship appearance resides in its favor.
But Kiffin can't hope for continued growth. He's an innovator, always looking for opportunities to fortify the roster and build a contender. It's why Ole Miss plans to host defensive stalwarts like Texas A&M's Walter Nolen, Tennessee's Tyler Baron and Florida's Princely Umanmielen.
Landing one name would strengthen a defensive unit that allowed just 4.1 yards per carry on the ground. Adding two would at least lead to conversations of the Rebels surpassing SEC programs like Tennessee, Texas A&M and Missouri in the pecking order, firmly placing them alongside programs like LSU.
Even if the Rebels can't close the deal during the early stages of the transfer portal, Kiffin isn't concerned. After spring practice, more players will look to depart their schools for a second chance elsewhere.
A chance like Oxford, perhaps?
"You got another window in the spring that guys can go in the portal," Kiffin said. "So we're going to work finding the available and try to find the best players that we can get."
