Three Key Takeaways from Lane Kiffin as Ole Miss Opened Fall Camp

OXFORD, Miss. –  Head coach Lane Kiffin met with media on Tuesday as Ole Miss fall camp got underway just four weeks out from the season opener on August 30. 

Coach Kiffin kept everything straight to the point, providing insight as to where the team currently stands. Here are three main points the Rebels’ head coach hit on during his first fall camp press conference.

Blue-collar mindset

Lane Kiffin 

This comment speaks to who Kiffin is as a coach and what he instills in his Ole Miss players. Creating the tough, hard-worker mentality is what keeps these players thriving. 

“There’ll be a lot of competition in this camp, regardless of what people have done before. They heard that last night, and it reflected in practice today to create a very competitive atmosphere,” Kiffin said.

If the Rebel staff can light that fire inside of every player this early in the fall,  the Rebels can place themselves in the 12-team playoff conversation.

Questions have been revolving around many of the positions following the departure of so many of the 2024 players to the NFL; these questions will look to get answered early through camp, and player attitudes, in part, will determine what the answers are. 

Over the coming weeks, fans will begin to find out who the leaders on the team will be, who has the true blue-collar mindset, and who emerges from their position battle victorious.

Caleb Odom at TE?

In the offseason, the Rebels were able to land Alabama transfer wide receiver Caleb Odom out of the portal to add to an improved receiving room for 2025. However, might we see Odom some at tight end instead following the injury to Arkansas transfer Luke Hasz?

At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds out of high school, Odom was ranked as the No. 2 tight end in the class of 2024. He saw very little playing time in Tuscaloosa last season, making appearances in just four games, while recording seven catches for 65 yards.

In Tuscaloosa, it seems as though Odom’s role was viewed as a better fit at the WR position, as the Alabama coaching staff moved him to a wide receiver in his time there.

However, with Hasz’ injury, it now seems as if there could be another change coming for Odom. On Tuesday, he was seen working with the tight ends during practice.

Lane Kiffin on Caleb Odom

This will likely be an ongoing situation with Odom potentially playing both spots, but there’s no question he can provide the tight end room with more depth.

New year, new changes

Coach Kiffin also discussed the different situations his team finds itself in for 2025.  Last year, Ole Miss had a very experienced depth chart, full of upperclassmen; now, not so much. Kiffin and company managed to acquire some experience and depth via the transfer portal, but the team is still very young in many areas.

Kiffin noted that this team is less established, with many new players and not a lot of experience as a team, and he believes the 2025 roster will have to work harder to establish good chemistry. This will be something that the coaching staff will navigate as the season progresses; mental and physical battles will be handled differently by the rookies and the veterans. This is where the blue-collar mindset prevails, and it’ll be interesting to see who stands out.

Another important note Kiffin touched on was how this team currently has fewer injuries to deal with as the start of the season nears. This will help the Rebels in their journey to establish chemistry, as everyone can get to practice as soon as possible.

It will be very interesting to see what type of team this year’s unit will be, and fans will find out when the Rebels take on Georgia State on Aug. 30.