With the whole “pro-mindset” vibe pumped into the Rebels squad, Coach Lane Kiffin is ensuring everything’s set for the college football season just around the corner. There’s been an incredible amount of hype building up at Oxford, Mississippi, and Kiffin is fueling the hype and hopes of Rebels fans. From incorporating methods from the NFL playbooks for preparing the players mentally extensively to implementing an almost no-tackling rule in the spring drills, Kiffin is going all in this season. Coach Kiffin, who charged the Rebels to an impressive 11 games last season, is gunning for an SEC title and College Football Playoff appearance.

The Ole Miss roster is stacked with talent this year. Kiffin, often dubbed the “Portal King,” has mastered the transfer portal game. He’s made it the centerpiece of his recruiting strategy for the past few seasons, and this season is no different, with Ole Miss now seen as one of the top teams in the country. With Jaxson Dart, one of the best quarterbacks in the country, returning to the Rebels, Kiffin’s quarterback room looks more promising than ever.

Wide receiver Tre Harris and tight end Caden Prieskorn also have their names listed in the big league. If Prieskorn is the alpha dog, Hudson Wolfe is the underdog in the tight end with his sheer athletic prowess. With his masterful portal strategy, Kiffin has shuffled the defense line, too, with elites like edge defender Princely Umanmielen and interior defensive lineman Walter Nolen. Defensive back Trey Amos is another fresh face from Alabama, and he’s expected to lock down the secondary for Coach Pete Golding’s defense. The Rebels are so back!

Lane Kiffin draws inspiration from the words of his mentor Pete Caroll ahead of the fall season

Lane Kiffin has always been vocal about…well, mostly everything. However, the Ole Miss coach never fails to mention how much he learned from his mentors, Nick Saban and Pete Caroll. When Nick Saban and Pete Caroll retired from their jobs at the Alabama Crimson Tide and Seattle Seahawks, Kiffin took it to X to show his gratitude, love, and respect for his mentors.

“The two [GOATs]. So honored and blessed to have learned from them and won national championships with both,” Lane Kiffin posted. “Thanks for taking a chance on me and being amazing mentor’s to me. Appreciate you both more than you will ever know. @AlabamaFTBL @Seahawks Greatness we may never see again. Appreciate it fans.” Lane Kiffin was the young son of the coach, Monte Kiffin, who recently passed away when he joined Pete Carroll’s staff at USC in 2001. 

On Thursday, August 15, Kiffin took a moment to reflect on the advice from his mentor, Pete Carroll. He shared a story on his Instagram, dropping some of Carroll’s pearls of wisdom. The quote, attributed to Pete Caroll on the black monitor, read: “You’re either a killer, or you’re not.” And it seems that Lane Kiffin is inspired enough to kill it on the ground this season as Ole Miss buckles up for another what can only be called a thrilling season. Ole Miss is kicking off the season at Vaught Hemingway Stadium, Mississippi, on August 31, hosting the FCS Furman Paladins.