Lane Kiffin: Ole Miss players 'discussed' opting out but 'committed' to playing in Texas Bowl
With 15 days until Ole Miss takes the field in the TaxAct Texas Bowl to wrap up its 2022 season one thing that is not a concern is which players will not be there in Houston.
In the first press conference since the Egg Bowl on Tuesday Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin confirmed that zero Ole Miss players chose to opt out of the Texas Bowl. The decisions, or non-decisions, put the Rebels as close to full strength as possible against Texas Tech.
Of course there are some injuries keeping key Ole Miss players out and other Rebels who have found new homes in the portal, but beyond the handful of those every eligible Ole Miss player will be suited up inside NRG Stadium on Dec. 28.
“We may have had one or two conversations and no one is doing that, which is awesome,” Kiffin said. “Committed to their team, to playing. But yes, there were some individuals that had discussed that.”
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The regular season ended with Ole Miss (8-4) losing four of its last five games, putting a sour taste in the players mouths.
After having a couple weeks off following the loss to Mississippi State, the players returned to the practice field to begin bowl preparation.
A growing sense of seeing the regular season through and crossing the finish line together is the overarching theme within the locker room.
“I feel like it means a lot, honestly,” said safety AJ Finley. “The mentality of this team is not a quitter mentality. Go back and watch games, even when we were losing we never laid down and quit. I feel like that’s really the mentality of this team, just finish what we started.”
One unique aspect of the transfer portal world is the ability for players on a current team still suit up and play in the bowl game while also being courted by other programs.
Several Ole Miss players who have officially entered the portal were accounted for and at practice on Tuesday, the first day the media was allowed to view practice.
Despite the outside world thinking it would create a weird or odd vibe as players are next to teammates who are wanting to, and looking, to play for a new team next September while practicing for a final game together.
“I don’t even think it’s weird, to be honest with you,” Finley said. “It’s a decision that they felt best that they needed to do. I still got love for everybody that’s in the transfer portal, honestly. If they feel that’s what they need to do to better their career then that’s what they need to do then I’m all in for them.”
