Nate Kalepo enjoying the culture at Ole Miss, ready to ‘play the best, be the best, and go against the best competition’
OXFORD, Miss. – Washington transfer offensive lineman Nate Kalepo stepped to the podium today after Tuesday morning’s spring practice to explain why he chose to be an Ole Miss Rebel and elaborate more on the new-look offensive line in Oxford.
Why Ole Miss?
Nate Kalepo is a Washington native who played collegiate football for the Huskies for four seasons, participating in a total of 40 games during that time. When Kalepo hit the portal, Ole Miss was already familiar with the guard as former Rebel Victor Curne also transferred in from Washington a couple of seasons ago.
Former Washington G Nate Kalepo has committed to Ole Miss, per @Hayesfawcett3
💪 One sack allowed last season (572 pass block snaps) pic.twitter.com/vLWwWcSEsB
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 25, 2024
This week, Kalepo took the chance to further explain his decision to become an Ole Miss Rebel.
“(Former Ole Miss OL) Victor Curne, he played for you guys (Ole Miss) last year, really good player and I feel like he played a big part in that (the 2023 season). I had a lot of communication with him, and he was saying if you want to play the best, be the best, go against the best competition…I felt like that was here at Ole Miss.”
~ Kalepo on why he chose Ole Miss
Kalepo was not alone when being recruited by Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss. Alongside him was Julius Buelow, another Washington offensive lineman in the portal from their National Championship runner-up team.
When asked about how their decisions influenced each other, Kalepo explained that Buelow committed on the last day of their visit to Oxford. Kalepo said that he responded to Buelow with, “Let’s ride.”
Moving across the country always comes with a culture shock, and that was no exception for the west-coast transfer Kalepo. When asked about the changes he saw when arriving at Ole Miss, Kalepo described it as ‘different,’ to say the least.
“Coming from the city, no disrespect to Oxford, it’s a little different,” Kalepo explained. “I feel like I see the same 12 people when I get out…but it is cool out here, the people are nice out here. They really brought me in with open arms.”
Premier talent
The Washington Huskies had the number two passing offense in the country last season only behind their rival Oregon. That feat could not have been possible without a great offensive line that involved Kalepo and Buelow. Kalepo and the rest of Washington’s offensive line won the Joe Moore Award in 2023 for the best offensive line in the country.
The Ole Miss guard commented on what it takes to have a good offensive line.
“I feel like what makes a good offensive line is camaraderie, the bond, how close you are (with teammates) in the room. The closer you are the more you can be like, ‘I know he has my back today.’ I for sure can see culture change and shift here as far as the offensive line. I can’t wait to see how it plays out.“
~ Kalepo on what makes a good offensive line
Culture over everything 💯#ComeToTheSip pic.twitter.com/0l2FbjJzYX
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) February 2, 2024
Facing the Ole Miss defensive line
With the ‘pro mindset’ that Kiffin has instilled into the program in Oxford, the position groups for the Rebels have more depth than ever before. It seems as if there is competition at every position and the head-to-head matchups between highly-touted Rebel players have only made them all better.
On Tuesday, Kalepo commented on facing the talented Rebel defensive front at practice every day.
“Iron sharpens iron. You know Walter Nolen; he is a hell of a player. JJ Pegues, Josh (Harris)…Kelo (Akelo Stone), that whole defensive front is a bunch of straight dogs. Going against those guys every day in practice is going to get me ready.“
~ Kalepo on facing the Rebel defensive line at practice
Up Next
Nate Kalepo and other members of the Rebel offensive line can be seen at the Grove Bowl Games this Saturday, April 13th at 3 pm CT in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Kameron Wicker
Kam is an undergraduate 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.
