Tuesday Presser: Lane Kiffin talks bowl game preparations, returning players, and those ‘undecided’
OXFORD, Miss. — Alongside Ole Miss Athletics Director Keith Carter and Peach Bowl CEO/President Gary Stokan, head coach Lane Kiffin addressed the media on Tuesday afternoon in preparation for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Peach Bowl ready 🍑@CFAPeachBowl | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/euWieGfwKL
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 12, 2023
Preparing for the Peach Bowl
For the first time in college football history, the Ole Miss Rebels are set to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions, so Lane Kiffin and the Rebels will find themselves lined up across an unfamiliar opponent.
Penn State finished the year in the top 3 of every major team defensive category, sitting at the top in total yards per game allowed and at third in passing yards, rushing yards and scoring defense per game.
Kiffin was asked about his initial thoughts on the matchup.
“It’s been a challenge, preparing for the game with the recruiting schedule…I’m a little more familiar (with Penn State), still not all the way there in game planning with our players yet because we’re so far out. But, as we knew right away, great defense. Learning more from watching, they have a really balanced offense, they can really run the ball, their quarterback takes care of the ball…This will probably be one of those games where you need to play really well in all areas of the game to go down to the wire and make some plays again.”
Coach Kiffin on Penn State
In his opening statement, Kiffin stated that the feel of the locker room has let him know the Rebel players are “really excited” to play in this big of a bowl game. The Ole Miss coach also added that a good bit of Rebel players come from the Atlanta area and are excited for that opportunity.
With this being the second NY6 bid for the Lane Train in the last three years, Kiffin was asked if he learned anything at all from that last trip to New Orleans with Ole Miss.
“I think the challenge always is, balancing the kids enjoying it, because it’s rewarding. But there’s a lot of work to do and finding that balance especially later in the week as the game gets close.”
Kiffin on the challenges of the “activities” that come with the bowl game
Returning players
Over the past week, a few Rebels from the current squad announced their return to the program for the 2024 season.
Of those names most notably are: wide receivers Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins, tight end Caden Prieskorn, tackle Micah Pettus, and defensive linemen JJ Pegues and Jared Ivey.
Unfinished Business 💼@cpkorn12 | #StayInTheSip pic.twitter.com/Ka5vrfgCjN
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 11, 2023
Unfinished Business 💼@micahpettus2 | #StayInTheSip pic.twitter.com/LGcMZgW57w
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 11, 2023
Unfinished Business 💼@JeremiahPegues4 | #StayInTheSip pic.twitter.com/eZAzyxgduB
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 12, 2023
Run it back.#hottytoddy pic.twitter.com/LxuGJ0krAZ
— JI5 (@jared_ivey1595) December 12, 2023
Kiffin commented on what it means to have those guys make that decision ahead of the bowl game.
“You kinda have guys deciding earlier (on returning or leaving). This used to be more of a ‘post bowl game’ thing…Very pleased with how many guys came back…it’s really neat how they feel that way about this program, how they feel about the locker room that they would choose to come back. I think it says a lot about the culture in the locker room.”
Kiffin on the players who announced their 2024 return
Unfinished Business 💼@_treharris13 | #StayInTheSip pic.twitter.com/4m7gf9i4uG
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 11, 2023
Unfinished Business 💼@jordantwatkins | #StayInTheSip pic.twitter.com/hdKtc6OueD
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 12, 2023
With the players listed above being among the key returners, Ole Miss also hopes to return its star running back Quinshon Judkins for his junior season.
The Rebels have also added the No. 1-ranked JUCO wideout, Deion Smith. Smith is a former LSU Tiger who most recently played at Holmes Community College in Mississippi. The 6’4, 190 pound receiver adds yet another offensive threat to an already ‘scary’ Ole Miss offense for 2024.
Undecided players
Outside of the few players who have entered the transfer portal, wideout Dayton Wade is the only Rebel on the current roster who has announced his departure to the NFL. Wade still intends to play in the Peach Bowl.
However, there are still a few Ole Miss players who have yet to publicly announce their intentions. With Kiffin explaining how the new recruiting process has sped up this type of thing, he made the comment that most of those players have already decided, but have just not publicly announced it.
“We are still in conversations…I think the majority of the guys, whether they’re going to the NFL or coming back, have already decided. I have held conversations with them (the players) about coming back or going to the NFL.”
Kiffin on the ‘undecided’ players
Some notable names who are eligible to return for Ole Miss in 2024 who have yet to announce anything are: quarterback Jaxson Dart (though the Grove Collective has posted a tweet that seems to bode well), running backs Quinshon Judkins and Ulysses Bentley IV, safety John Saunders Jr., defensive lineman Cedric Johnson (although, Cedric has accepted his invitation to participate in the Senior Bowl, which would mean he is not returning if he, indeed, plays in the game), and linebacker Khari Coleman.
Up Next
As this week continues, be sure to stay tuned to The Rebel Walk as Coach Lane Kiffin and select players will be made available to the media in the midst of the Peach Bowl practices.
On December 30th in Atlanta, Georgia, the Ole Miss Rebels will take on the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at 11 am CT.
PEACH BOWL BOUND 🍑
🆚 Penn State
🗓️ December 30
⏰ 11 AM CT
📺 ESPN#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/wz9S6JhibT— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 3, 2023
Hotty Toddy!
Kameron Wicker
Kam is a senior at Ole Miss, currently pursuing a degree in Journalism. Even though he's from Delhi, Louisiana, that didn't stop Kam from growing up a diehard Ole Miss fan. He's a sports guru who watches and follows all sports at all times. He lettered four years in football and baseball in high school and is an avid Saints, Pelicans, and Astros fan. In his free time, you can find him watching sports or at the rec participating in them.
