Ole Miss Defensive Back Antonio Kite Reveals Why He Chose the Rebels, How He Thinks Secondary is Coming Along
OXFORD, Miss. — Midway through fall camp, Ole Miss is very close to the start of the 2025 college football season. Head coach Lane Kiffin spoke to the media on Monday, revealing that the defense outperformed the offense in the scrimmage over the weekend. He mentioned the play of the defensive backs, who stepped up for defensive coordinator Pete Golding with several interceptions.
One of those players impressing Kiffin and staff is Auburn transfer Antonio Kite.
Kite has been a consistent starter at one of the cornerback positions throughout the offseason. The junior is said to be turning heads in fall camp as he looks to push to be one of the two starters at cornerback.
On Monday, Kite was asked what it’s been like in camp so far.
“It’s been great,” he began.
“You know, my teammates, they’re doing a great job. Just welcomed me in. And I’m just trying to grind every day. Get better, me and my team, with my teammates.“
Transfer Antonio Kite on his first camp at Ole Miss
On Monday, Coach Kiffin mentioned that freshman Dante Core, just returning from an injury, was a standout on Saturday in the scrimmage. Kite was asked what he has seen thus far from his counterpart on the opposite side of the field.
“Dante (Core), he’s my guy, man. He is getting better every day,” Kite said. ” He is a young guy, but he has come in and worked hard, and he is mentally there.”
After early concerns about the defensive back room, things look to be in a better place. Kite was asked how he felt the defense played in Saturday’s scrimmage.
“I feel like we played lights out. We know we got a lot of things to work on individually and with the team. I feel like I played okay, not my best.“
Antonio Kite on the defense’s play in Saturday’s scrimmage
Kite Chose Ole Miss Because of Lane Kiffin
After hitting the transfer portal, Kite had numerous options on the table. He previously worked under defensive coordinator Pete Golding during the coach’s time in Tuscaloosa. Kite, an Anniston, Ala. native, had signed with the Tide as a freshman in 2022. Playing for Coach Golding previously helped make his transfer decision much easier. However, Kite cites working with Coach Kiffin as the reason he picked Ole Miss.
“I love Coach Kiffin as a guy. He pushes his players, and I just want to be around a guy like that.“
Antonio Kite on why he chose Ole Miss
The Rebels lost a lot of production in the defensive back positions from last year, but they have a number of new faces via the portal who are joining the returnees. Kite has been pushed by Patrick Broomfield, in his second season at Ole Miss; although, Broomfield has spent some time in the black, non-contact jersey in fall camp. Kite is playing opposite transfer Ricky Fletcher and Chris Graves, Jr. Ole Miss also added Clemson cornerback Tavoy Feagin in the offseason.
Regardless of who starts, Kite is pleased with the group so far.
“I mean, like I said, I feel like we’re getting better every day. You know, we’re coming in every day trying to put in work, stay in the playbook and just play as one. I feel like when we’re playing as one and we are locked in, I feel like we could be very good.”
Antonio Kite
Ole Miss opens the season August 30 when the Rebels host Georgia State at Vaught-Hemingway.
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.
