Coaches SEC Teleconference: Lane Kiffin talks ‘excitement’ from recruits following Rebels’ win over Georgia
OXFORD, Miss. — Right before Wednesday’s weekly SEC Coaches Teleconference, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin and the Rebels were the beneficiaries of a ‘flip in the ‘Sip’ announcement from five-star wide receiver Caleb Cunningham, the No. 1 player in the state of Mississippi and the No. 2 wide receiver in the nation.
Cunningham, who had been an Alabama commit, was in Oxford for Ole Miss’ dominating 28-10 win over Georgia and it obviously made quite the impression.
While Coach Kiffin can’t speak specifically on a recruit until the player has signed, he can comment on how a win like that over the Bulldogs affects the Rebels’ program.
“I think there’s been a lot of excitement amongst recruits that were here or on TV. It was a highly-viewed game. A lot of them, really, were excited about the style that we won in. There’s a really bright future here. (Backup quarterback) Austin (Simmons) coming in and playing so great like he did also made people very excited about the future.”
Lane Kiffin
Preparing for Florida
While it’s great to see such an impact on recruiting already following the win over Georgia, Coach Kiffin knows it doesn’t mean as much if the team doesn’t continue winning. Wednesday he explained how the bye week is going for the Rebels and said their focus has turned to Florida earlier than would normally be the case in a bye week — with good reason.
“(We are on) our second day of practice of three days here,” Kiffin said.
“Guys are working really hard. Really seem to have a lot of good energy about them. Started really early on Florida — more than normal on a bye week. Wanted to make sure we had really great game plans and two weeks to work on it against these guys (the Gators). Really haven’t taken any time off. Been grinding as if the game was this week to make sure we put ourselves in position to play really well in the Swamp.”
Lane Kiffin on the Rebels’ preparations for Florida
While Ole Miss has put itself firmly back in the college football playoffs conversation with a No. 11 ranking this week, it will be for naught were they to lose a third game. So, as has been the case since the loss to LSU, every game is critical.
“Wanted to make sure guys are really focused. We’ve been in the playoffs for three weeks. So, for us, it’s kind of another must-win playoff game. We just want to go play really well against these guys. They’ve got really good players. At times this year they’ve played well in a place where most of the time people struggle to play in. Just really wanted to utilize the time to get guys really focused on this matchup and go all-in to make sure we win.”
Lane Kiffin
Transfer portal and tampering
Kiffin was asked about the tampering that inevitably occurs these days with transfer portal, unlimited transfers and NIL. The upcoming portal window is set to begin December 9, obviously coming as some teams are getting prepared for playoffs and/or bowl games.
“I really don’t worry about what we can’t control,” Kiffin began. “That happens a lot. It’s a really poorly-thought-out system, windows, when they are and people tampering all the time. We just try to maximize the really poor system that’s been set up and avoid the distractions,” he continued.
“Part of the problem with that really poor system is creating each free agency windows before the season is even over. We’re basically just inviting kids to wonder mentally and to get tampered with because when the windows are, we’re still playing. Can you imagine the NBA or NFL free agency were to start in the playoffs? It would never happen. Just think about that,” Kiffin added.
Here are the other topics Coach Kiffin was asked about on the call.
On the momentum following the win over Kirby Smart’s Georgia team:
“The stuff going around with the playoffs and everything creates a lot of momentum with the rankings and all that. I see more excitement for players. They got a taste of playing a really good team like that. The last three games we’ve been in the playoffs. Losing both of those games at the last second the way we did we put ourselves in a must-win situation. So, we’ve really been in the playoffs for a while. There’s a lot of excitement, I think, around that.”
On what Ole Miss transfer linebacker TJ Dottery has brought to the team:
“He’s been a great player, great leader. Worked extremely hard last year on our scout team. Played really well in the bowl game. He’s been awesome and a real leader for us. Big change to our defensive success.”
On the similarities between Amari Cooper and Tre Harris, both wide receivers coached by Kiffin:
“I think they’re both quiet leaders and work extremely hard. Very focused and really disciplined. Their games really aren’t the same. But their personalities are very similar and work ethic.”
Next Up
Ole Miss enjoys a bye week this weekend before traveling to Gainesville next week for a Nov. 23 matchup at 11:00 a.m. with the Gators in the Swamp. That game will be broadcast on ABC.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
