Ole Miss Rebels Football Offseason Preview

Ole Miss was a 10-win program under previous head coach Hugh Freeze, but the Rebels then fell off the pace when Freeze left the job in disgrace due to NCAA violations and a humiliating sex scandal. Lane Kiffin took the job amid a lot of skepticism about his ability to do the job right. He has quieted his critics. In 2021 Kiffin won 10 games, and it wasn’t just Ole Miss’s offense which helped Kiffin achieve that. Ole Miss had a tough and resilient defense. The Rebels won contentious games they wouldn’t have won in previous years. Kiffin has finally evolved as a head coach and is growing in the profession. Now everyone is waiting to see if he can keep this project headed in the right direction.

Key Personnel Lost

The Rebels lost D.J. Durkin as defensive coordinator. He went to SEC West rival Texas A&M. Head coach Lane Kiffin had to hire Charlie Weis Jr. as a new offensive staffer, but given the change at defensive coordinator, that’s where Kiffin had to act urgently. He hired Maurice Crum as a new defensive assistant coach. Crum and Chris Partridge will serve as co-defensive coordinators this season for the Rebels.

Ole Miss loses defensive end Sam Williams, a top-60 NFL draft pick, and quarterback Matt Corral , who was a Heisman Trophy candidate for much of last season. All told, Ole Miss lost six players to the NFL draft, which means the team has to replace a lot of quality players. On the other hand, it’s also fantastic news for the program, given that it shows the Rebels are improving and are becoming more of a destination for recruits across the country. People want to play at Ole Miss, and Lane Kiffin is building a reputation as being a coach players want to play for. 

Important Incoming Freshmen

Jaron Willis is officially classified as an athlete, but he is expected to play linebacker for the Rebels this fall. The significant amount of change in the Ole Miss roster relative to last season will require a lot of new faces to step up and provide meaningful production. Willis will be one of the newcomers Kiffin will expect to contribute.

Davison Igbinosun is a highly-touted cornerback who might start the year in nickel and dime packages before he is given more responsibility later in the season. Ole Miss had a resourceful team last year. Replicating the formula in 2022 depends on newcomers not being overwhelmed on the job.

Key Position Battles

Luke Altmyer, who played in the Sugar Bowl against Baylor and has experience in the Kiffin system, will battle incoming transfer Jaxson Dart for the starting quarterback spot. Dart transferred from USC when it became clear that Caleb Williams was going to transfer from Oklahoma to USC to join Lincoln Riley. The Altmyer-Dart battle will be something to watch in the summer and into the fall.

Biggest Offseason Goal(s)

Ole Miss established a high standard in 2021. Sustaining the level of the program is the central goal for 2022. Ole Miss doesn’t have to make a leap forward, but it can’t afford regression and the loss of momentum. Kiffin has to fill various roster holes and make sure that at key positions where there are transitions – most centrally quarterback – Ole Miss does not regress. Having new coaches on staff means that Kiffin has to oversee his assistant coaches and make sure the same quality of teaching is occurring on the practice field. There is a lot for him to keep track of this year.