Lane Kiffin details what Ole Miss' success has done for recruiting
Outside of Alabama and Georgia — who are on a different level in college football — Ole Miss has been the SEC’s most successful program. Lane Kiffin has turned Oxford into an incredibly attractive destination for players, both out of the high school ranks and NCAA transfer portal. Winning changes everything and the Rebels are certainly learning as such.
Kiffin understands how big a role NIL plays in a few of these recruitments. The Grove Collective is one of the best in the game, helping keep and bring some big-time players into the program.
Stacking quality years on top of each other is helping the cause. Earning a few bucks while also competing at the highest level has been a nice selling point for Kiffin when attempting to recruit. And with the 12-team playoff coming, the lure of competing for a national championship will be there as well.
“I think you guys know I’m pretty realistic when I’m up here,” Kiffin said. “NIL and collectives are important in all of this. But also, other things are a factor too and I think that our winning — third most SEC wins since we’ve gotten here — shows kids a lot, that you can come here and win.
“So, I definitely know that helps. Now, going into schools, living rooms, or college campuses for players — I think there is a different feeling when we walk in as Ole Miss than when we walked in.”
Ole Miss has just nine 10-win seasons in its history. Two of them have now come under Kiffin but they have also been a bit different. The 2021 and 2023 seasons have seen all of the wins come during the regular season, something the Rebels had never done. Previously, a bowl win was required.
A loss to Baylor in the Sugar Bowl prevented Ole Miss from finishing 11-2 and setting a new program record. Another opportunity presents itself on Dec. 30 against Penn State in the Peach Bowl. A win would be the highest Ole Miss has been since it began playing football back in 1902.
Now, seemingly every big-time player in the portal is interested in playing for Ole Miss. They have been able to acquire starting caliber players from the SEC — with multiple being on the defensive line. Former Texas A&M star Walter Nolen would be the biggest of the bunch if Kiffin can seal the deal there.
People want to follow winning and Ole Miss is certainly winning. Kiffin surely has an easier time recruiting compared to when he was originally hired, now making the case for the Rebels to be one of the SEC’s best programs.