‘It Means Everything:’ Ole Miss defensive linemen Kam Franklin, Will Echoles Talk Playoff Importance for State of Mississippi
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss football is approaching the Rebels’ first-ever playoff appearance where they will host the Tulane Green Wave for the second time this season.
The team’s playoff matchup is set to be one of the most historic days for sports in the state of Mississippi. As members of a team loaded with in-state talent, defensive linemen Kam Franklin and Will Echoles spoke to the media earlier this week and shared their thoughts on what this means to them and to the entire state.
Echoles was the first of the 2024 signing duo to speak as he met Monday with media. His answer for the importance of this upcoming game is quite simple:
“It means everything.“
Will Echoles on the upcoming playoff game
The Houston, Mississippi native quickly went more in depth on the game’s importance to the state and himself.
“Man, this probably the biggest game in the state of Mississippi that has been like in a minute. I say because it’s a playoff game. So, it means everything, bro. Coming from where I’m from, I’m really just living my dream out that I’ve been dreaming since I was a little kid.“
Ole Miss DL Will Echoles
Kam Franklin, a Lake Cormorant, Mississippi native, spoke Tuesday and offered a similar message.
“It’s huge, we are doing something that has never been done. This is going to be historically the first (playoff) game that any school in Mississippi has ever hosted. We’re excited, but this is a part of being a great dominant team.“
Ole Miss DL Kam Franklin
Both Franklin and Echoles entered the Ole Miss program as signees in the 2024 class, and both saw minimal playing time in their first season as a Rebel. However, their sophomore campaigns have taken off and they’ve showcased their talents and what they learned from the Rebels’ 2024 NFL-level defensive line behind which they sat.
Echoles finished the 2025 regular season with 51 total tackles — 25 solo — and also notched 4.5 sacks, with 3.5 of those coming in SEC play from an interior defensive line position.
Franklin concluded his regular season with 53 total tackles, 27 of which were solo, and paired that with 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble coming off the edge.
Franklin and Echoles are just two of many Mississippi natives to hit the gridiron for this playoff squad, but no matter the state of origin, this Ole Miss team shares a singular common goal, to go 1-0 every week.
They’ll get the opportunity this week with a 2:30 pm CT kickoff on Saturday. Catch the matchup between Ole Miss and Tulane on TNT/TruTv as well as on the HBO Max streaming service.
Billy Kuhl
Billy Kuhl joins The Rebel Walk as a sophomore at Ole Miss majoring in Journalism with a Sports Media concentration. He is from Jefferson Township, New Jersey and graduated from Jefferson Township High School where he played varsity baseball, and soccer, and swam competitively in his summers. You can contact him at wpkuhl88@gmail.com or DM him on X @Billykuhll or instagram @Billykuhll_
