‘Playing for Each Other:’ DL Kam Franklin on Ole Miss Defense’s Growth After LSU Win
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss defensive end Kam Franklin met with reporters this week to discuss the Rebels’ 24–19 win over then-No. 4 LSU, the defense’s progress and growth through five games, and what the upcoming bye week means for the team.
Franklin said one of his biggest improvements has come from fully embracing his role in defensive coordinator Pete Golding’s system
“Just knowing my role, executing my job, being the best teammate I can be, and just doing my one of eleven,” Franklin explained.
That growth, he added, comes from lessons learned during his first year in Oxford.
“Very important,” Franklin said of last season.
“The guys we had on the D-line—I was just soaking in all the information from them and applying it to this year. With my work ethic, the offseason was about going really hard, getting better every day and every week, and becoming the best player I can be this season.”
Kam Franklin
The Rebels’ defense delivered their most complete performance of the year in the 24–19 victory over LSU, continuing the woes of the Tigers’ struggling offense.
The Bayou Bengals managed just 254 total yards, including only 197 passing yards from quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and a mere 57 rushing yards at 2.6 yards per carry. On third downs, LSU converted only twice all day.
“I feel like we played with our hair on fire,” Franklin said.
“We played really hard—probably the best we’ve played collectively all season, in my opinion. We all wanted one thing, and that was to win. No self-egos—everybody was playing for each other, everybody executed at a very high level. We had not only individual success but team success as well.”
Kam Franklin
While head coach Lane Kiffin admitted earlier this week that he might prefer to keep the momentum rolling with another game, Franklin said the bye week does come with advantages.
“Yeah, I mean, we all want to play,” Franklin said. “But sometimes with a bye week, you get to focus on how to take your game to the next level. You get to see the weaknesses you have as a defense and individually, and work on those things. So I think there are pros and cons to both.”
Franklin pointed back to the second half of the Arkansas game two weeks ago as a turning point for the defense. The Rebels tightened up after halftime and carried that energy forward into the both the Tulane and LSU matchups.
“We prepared all week. I feel like Coach Pete put us in the best position, Coach Joyner and the rest of the staff did too,” Franklin said.
“Arkansas is a really good team with a really good offense. But at halftime, we got in the locker room, made adjustments, and then we all clicked back in, like we did last game. We all knew we wanted to win. With the offense helping and the defense coming together, we got it done.”
With Ole Miss now firmly in the national conversation and carrying a No. 4 ranking at the moment, Franklin said the Rebels are focused on blocking out outside noise.
“Coach Kiffin does a really good job reminding us that none of that stuff really matters. What matters is who we play next. Like LSU—we beat LSU, and it was a good win, but now we’ve got Washington State next. We’re not worried about that game anymore. It was good, but all the external factors don’t really matter.”
Kam Franklin
For Franklin, the bye week offers some rare down time—though he hasn’t finalized exactly how he’ll use it.
“I’m still thinking about that,” he admitted with a smile. “I don’t know if I’ll just chill, watch some games, probably watch upcoming opponents. I’m not really sure yet.”
Franklin also spoke highly of fellow defensive tackle William Echoles, who came into the program alongside him and has quickly become another key piece of the defensive front.
“That’s my guy, my brother for sure,” Franklin said. “He works hard. He’s a great player, fun to play with. Like I said, he’s my brother, and he’s really about the work.”
As Ole Miss prepares for the second half of its season, Franklin said the mission remains simple: continue building off the defensive strides the Rebels have made in recent weeks. With players like him leading the charge up front, the group is intent on proving that its performance against LSU was no fluke.
Next Up
The Rebels will have a bye week this Saturday, October 4, and return to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium to take on the Washington State Cougars on October 11 at 11:45 am CST on SEC Network.
Jacob Quaglino
Jacob is a New Orleans, LA native and Ole Miss alumni, Class of 2024 and staff writer with The Rebel Walk. He has been a diehard fan of all Ole Miss sports his entire life, with his earliest Ole Miss sports memory being the Rebels' iconic 2008 upset of then-No. 4 Florida. Among his other favorite Rebel sports memories are storming the field after beating LSU in 2023 and Georgia in 2024, watching the Rebels upset Alabama in back to back years in 2014-15, seeing the women's golf team win the school's first-ever NCAA-recognized national championship in 2021, and watching the Rebel baseball team win the College World Series in 2022. He remains exceedingly hopeful that the Ole Miss Athletics Department's national championship trophy collection will grow in the coming years. Outside of The Rebel Walk, Jacob also works for a local radio news station and has many interests and hobbies, including reading, writing, watching college sports, playing pickleball, and traveling.
