Country Music Superstar Darius Rucker High on Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin in 2025
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss football saw plenty of positivity in the media before the 2024 season. Many predicted the Rebels to make the playoffs and possibly make an SEC Championship game, in what head coach Lane Kiffin would call ‘Rat Poison.’
Heading into the 2025 season, there is less outside noise about what the Rebels can do. The team believes they can be one of the best, but are taking things game by game, starting with their first game against Georgia State. The big games will follow shortly after as they begin SEC play in Week 2 against Kentucky — and one famous country singer sees the Rebels as a potential threat in the conference.
Darius Rucker Loves Lane Kiffin
Multi-award-winning country singer Darius Rucker will be following the SEC season closely, as a huge college football fan and South Carolina alumnus. The ‘Wagon Wheel’ singer recently dropped a video on his social media answering various questions about college football and the SEC.
When asked who may be the surprise team in 2025, Rucker pointed to Ole Miss, and declared his love for Lane Kiffin at the same time.
“Ole Miss can win the championship,” Said Rucker. “I mean, I love the coach. Ole Miss is going to be a surprise team.”
WATCH: Country music superstar Darius Rucker has high praise for @OleMissFB ahead of the upcoming season.
“Ole Miss can win the championship. I mean, I love the coach. Ole Miss is going to be a surprise team.” pic.twitter.com/EqYxxW6hW0
— Caleb Salers (@CalebSalersST) August 18, 2025
Of course, he couldn’t go without mentioning his beloved Gamecocks, predicting them to reach the National Championship Game and beat Georgia. Rucker also said LaNorris Sellers would win the Heisman, staying loyal to his team.
The Rebels will face South Carolina in week 10 at the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Despite the kind words from Rucker, the hope is to go back-to-back against his school after Kiffin’s team finished with a 27-3 win in Columbia last season. It was a tremendous performance, as Ole Miss held a free scoring offense to just three points and 313 total offensive yards. It’s also a game known for two touchdowns from big former defensive lineman JJ Pegues.
Ole Miss opens the 2025 season at home on August 30th vs. Georgia State.
Jordan Merritt
Jordan is a freelance writer who covers sports, games, and more. A United Kingdom native, he covers everything Ole Miss for The Rebel Walk. He has written for several publications, including Athlon Sports, On SI, Fansided, and others. Away from writing, he loves spending time with his family and watching films and TV series.
