Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy Earns Unanimous All-America Honors

Kewan Lacy joined Jeremiah Smith and Leonard Moore as the only unanimous selections on USA Today's 2026 preseason All-America team, capping a run of preseason honors after his record-setting 2025 season in Oxford.

Jan 1, 2026; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs in the third quarter during the 2026 Sugar Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Ole Miss star running back Kewan Lacy was named a unanimous first-team selection on US Today's 2026 preseason All-American team.

Lacy was one of only three players in the country to receive unanimous votes, alongside Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore.

The voting was conducted by more than 20 college football writers and editors across USA Today Sports.

With position groups deeper than ever, a unanimous selection puts Lacy in the most exclusive tier of the entire preseason poll.

The Case

Nov 15, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) dunks on a basketball goal after defeating the Florida Gators at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

In his season debut with the Rebels, Kewan Lacy put up ridiculous stats and is extremely deserving of this honor.

Lacy broke the program's single-season rushing touchdown record with 24 and tied the yards record with 1,567 yards gained on the ground. Kewan Lacy showcased his agility by leading the FBS with 109 forced missed tackles. Over the course of the season, Kewan had seven 100-yard games, proving to the nation that he can be consistent week in, week out.

Outside of the stat sheet, Lacy enters 2026 as one of the nation's most decorated backs. Kewan earned First-Team All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors, finishing as a Doak Walker Award Finalist.

Missouri's Ahmad Hardy was another running back that voters strongly considered, but Lacy's receiving game and missed-tackle production separated him from a more volume-driven argument.

After transferring in from Missouri for a single season in Oxford and immediately taking the title of best running back in program history statistically, a fast rise like Kewan Lacy's makes that unanimous tag even more notable.

Bigger Picture

Being a unanimous All-American is a huge accomplishment for Kewan Lacy; however, there is a bigger picture to this achievement.

Lacy has already received several first-team nods from ESPN, Athlon, Phil Steele, On3, Walter Camp, AP, and CBS Sports. The national recognition led to Kewan being named one of the cover athletes of EA Sports College Football 27.

Kewan Lacy will be paired with star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss to give Ole Miss what's widely considered the best returning backfield in the entire country, entering 2026 with real Playoff and Heisman expectations.

With the recognition already secured, this season will become about validating it. Not just being a unanimous preseason award winner, but transforming that buzz into an actual Heisman and All-American case in January.

Kewan Lacy is one of four Ole Miss players who are receiving preseason All-American recognition, being part of a broader wave of national respect for Golding's roster heading into year one.

Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook and X for the latest news.