OXFORD — Not many teams get healthier as a given season goes on. But that might just be the case for No. 9 Ole Miss as it concludes its second bye week of the 2024 season.
Senior wide receiver Tre Harris is “now looking like he’s ready to go” for this weekend’s game against Florida, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin told reporters Monday. Harris last played in the first half at LSU on Oct. 12. Despite missing the last three-and-a-half games, Harris still leads the SEC with 987 receiving yards, a total that ranks fifth nationally.
Harris, a preseason All-SEC and All-American selection, is averaging 141 receiving yards per game this year. He led the Rebels with 985 yards and eight touchdowns last season, his first with the program after transferring from Louisiana Tech.
Kiffin also mentioned players like sophomore receiver Cayden Lee, junior defensive tackle Walter Nolen and senior defensive tackle JJ Pegues as players who have been fighting injuries and benefited from the bye. Kiffin also hinted at a potential return for senior running back Logan Diggs, who has yet to play for Ole Miss (8-2, 4-2 SEC) since transferring from LSU in the offseason. Diggs had surgery for a knee injury in the offseason but is “doing the most that he’s done” in practice, per Kiffin.
Ole Miss plays at Florida (5-5, 3-4) Saturday at 11 a.m. The game will be broadcast on ABC.
“It’s really exciting for all these guys,” Kiffin said. “A lot of times as a team you’re struggling at the end of the year health wise. And to be in the best shape really we’ve been in all year long … now we have to build on that.”
Harris’ injury left a sizable void in the Rebels’ wide receiver room. But several players have stepped up in his stead, including seniors Jordan Watkins and Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. Watkins has 381 receiving yards in three full games without Harris, including a program-record 254 yards and five touchdowns at Arkansas. Wells has nine catches for 125 yards over that three-game stretch and caught a touchdown against Georgia. Sophomore receiver Cayden Lee has 267 yards in that span, and junior tight end Dae’Quan Wright notched a career-best 99 yards and two touchdowns against the Razorbacks.
In three full games without Harris, senior quarterback Jaxson Dart has thrown for 1,025 yards, eight touchdowns and an interception. His 515 passing yards against Arkansas set a program record, and his six passing touchdowns were tied for the most in single-game history. Dart leads the nation in total offense and passing efficiency and is third in passing yards. His 22 touchdown passes are tied for the most in the SEC.
“Over that time, I think Jaxson’s led the country in passing without him,” Kiffin said. “So, we’re really excited to get the best receiver in the country back.”
Kiffin talks Billy Napier
Kiffin and Florida head coach Billy Napier were both assistants under head coach Nick Saban at Alabama. Kiffin was the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator from 2014-16, and Napier was the team’s wide receivers coach from 2013-17.
“Really good relationship with Billy. Really enjoyed the time working together there,” Kiffin said. “Helped me a lot, coming into the offensive room that I didn’t know anybody on the staff, and … I was the only new person, period, on the staff. … So, Billy really helped me in that transition, and I have a really good relationship with him. A lot of respect for him, who he is as a person and how he treats people.”
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