Never change, Lane. Never change… That is usually what we say whenever Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin says or does something not necessarily out of character for him, but somewhat unbecoming of a Power Four CFB head coach. Although he makes all the headlines, someone under his nose might have overdone something.

Lane Kiffin has never been one to shy away from the spotlight, whether it’s trolling rivals on social media or breaking into meme-worthy moments mid-season. Yet, as the dust settles on another 10-3 campaign capped by a commanding 52-30 Gator Bowl win over Duke, whispers of discontent have started to swirl in the Grove.

The talent on last year’s roster no doubt was exceptional. Still, Steven Willis, host of the “Locked on Ole Miss Podcast” revealed one thing we’d never have expected to come out of the Miss Kiffin camp. In the wake of his trolls and babbles, it was such a travesty that 9-3 (5-3) Ole Miss did not make the College Football Playoff last year. That team was talented enough to get in. But they lost to teams like Florida and Kentucky.

According to Willis, a structural flaw might just be Kiffin’s obsessive reliance on analytics. Willis didn’t mince words in his assessment, stating, “Analytics might be a great thing for underdogs, but when you’re loaded with talent, you have to act like a favorite in order to reach the College Football Playoff, and Ole Miss was unable to do that.”

The comment is a damning critique of Kiffin’s game management philosophy. Instead of leaning on the team’s superior athleticism and depth, the Rebels too often found themselves tied to a numbers-first approach that occasionally undercut their natural advantages. It’s the kind of strategy that works wonders for teams like Tulane or Boise State. But for a program with SEC-caliber resources, it might be more hindrance than help.

To his credit, Lane Kiffin isn’t sulking on the sidelines or retreating from criticism. Instead, he’s doubling down on the recruiting trail, ensuring the Rebels remain in the conversation for the coming years. High on his list of priorities is New Albany (Miss.) four-star offensive tackle Emanuel Tucker. He’s a Class of 2026 prospect who has the makings of a future cornerstone on the line. Kiffin stopped in to see Tucker earlier this week, a move signaling just how serious Ole Miss is about keeping top talent in-state.

Tucker, who recently named a top six that includes Miami, LSU, Texas A&M, Tennessee, and Florida State, is a must-get for the Rebels if they hope to solidify their offensive front and maintain their upward trajectory. Mississippi State firmly pushes for Tucker, adding another layer of urgency to Kiffin’s pursuit.

Maybe it means scaling back on analytics and trusting gut instinct a little more. Or maybe, it’s about shoring up key recruiting battles and ensuring the talent pipeline remains steady.

Lane Kiffin on the hunt, first strings only

The famous social media personality’s Ole Miss staff are making power moves on the recruiting trail, setting their sights on two blue-chip talents. First, OL coach John Garrison recently stopped by New Albany to check in on Emanuel Tucker. He’s a promising offensive tackle who made waves after transitioning from the defensive line this season. At 6-foot-7 and 285 pounds, Tucker’s size and skill are turning heads, and he’s feeling more confident in his new role.

“I’m way better at offensive tackle this year,” Tucker said this fall. “Last year, I dabbled a little, even played some tight end, but now I know what I’m doing, and it’s paying off.” Ranked as the No. 24 offensive tackle in the country by On3, Tucker has schools lining up, and Ole Miss ensures they’re in the mix.

Meanwhile, Kiffin himself made a trip to Jackson (Ala.) High School to visit blue-chip quarterback Landon Duckworth. Fresh off leading his team to an Alabama 4A state title, Duckworth put on a show in the championship game, throwing for 325 yards and five touchdowns.

Two big names, one big recruiting push. Damage control so far.