Lane Kiffin Does Not Expect Many Opt Outs for Gator Bowl: ‘That says a lot about this team, in an age where that isn’t the case a lot of times’
OXFORD, Miss. — When Ole Miss was left out of the 12-team College Football Playoffs, many “experts” felt sure Rebel football players would opt out of the upcoming January 2nd TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. But not so fast, my friends. That does NOT appear to be the case.
In a joint zoom press conference with Duke head coach Manny Diaz on Tuesday morning, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin was asked if he expects to have opt outs.
“It’s a while until we play, but it seems like even our players that maybe were in question of playing and opting out for the draft as of right now all said that they’re playing, so that’s exciting. That says a lot about this team, in an age where that isn’t the case a lot of times. It says a lot about this team with how close they are and how they feel about the Gator Bowl, playing a really good Duke team.”
Lane Kiffin on potential opt outs
Kiffin explained that from what he knows thus far, he expects to have his team pretty much intact. Defensive backs Trey Amos and Trey Washington, along with wide receiver Jordan Watkins and quarterback Jaxson Dart have all indicated they will be playing against Duke.
”Things could change, but as of today, we’ve had conversations with all the guys. No one has said they’re not playing. There’s still a lot of time between now and the game. (But) Seems like it’s heading that direction.”
Lane Kiffin
Jaxson Dart: ‘Yes, of course I am playing’
One player with whom Kiffin had a conversation is quarterback Jaxson Dart. The three-year starter for Kiffin made it clear he’s going to be suited up for the bowl game.
“Probably last week, I asked him if he was playing. I told him the possible bowls we were hearing. He said he was definitely playing and wanted to play his last game with these guys. He encouraged some of these other guys that are in that in between position of playing or opting out. Seems like the majority of those guys are all heading towards playing in this game. Pretty neat. (Dart) has been an amazing leader, setting a bunch of records here. Just how he’s been as a leader and how much he’s meant to this university is awesome. This is another example of him making sure he finished what he started.”
Lane Kiffin on Jaxson Dart
Kiffin was asked what it means to him to have his senior QB playing in the game.
”It’s who he is. When I asked him, he didn’t even blink, ‘yes, of course I’m playing.’ It is who he is. Unbelievable teammate, leader, and friend to these guys. I kind of think of him as another son to me. He’s been awesome to see grow and how he treats people.”
Lane Kiffin on Jaxson Dart
A Chance to Do Something Not Done in Decades
Ole Miss has a roster filled with Rebels who have NFL aspirations, deservingly so, and it would not be unusual in today’s world for those players to opt out and prepare for the Combine (for those who will be invited) and for the NFL Draft.
But Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin continue to build something special in Oxford. This year’s team has the opportunity to do something that hasn’t been done since 1959 and 1960, and that’s finish with back-to-back 10-win seasons.
A victory in the Gator Bowl would give the Rebels a 10-3 record. Following last season’s 11-2 record, Ole Miss is setting quite a standard, one that players seem to be eager to be a part of.
“We’re extremely excited coming down (to Jacksonville, Florida) for a really big matchup. Manny (Diaz) has done an unbelievable job in only one year there — the way they’ve played as a team and then on defense, top five in a number of categories and they create a lot of chaos on defense with the way they play up front, typical wherever Manny has been. They do a great job on defense and create a lot of problems,” Kiffin said Tuesday.
Game info:
The Gator Bowl is set for January 2nd with kickoff 6:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on ESPN.
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.
