OXFORD — Ole Miss’ opener against Furman is just a few days away. But the Rebels might not be playing with a full deck of cards when they take the field at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Head coach Lane Kiffin told reporters Monday that the wide receivers room is a bit thin at the moment due to injuries. Senior Jordan Watkins and South Carolina transfer Antwane Wells Jr. have both been in non-contact jerseys for portions of practice available to the media over the last few weeks. Kiffin was asked if he expected the two to play in Saturday’s season opener.
“I hope to,” Kiffin said. “But I don’t know that.”
A lack of available weapons out wide hasn’t been all negative, however, as Kiffin said it allowed the Rebels to lean on their running game in practice. Running the ball is going to be key against the Paladins, Kiffin noted. Ole Miss has ranked in the top-40 nationally in rushing yards per game in each of Kiffin’s four seasons.
“We have a lot of receiver injuries going into this first game,” Kiffin said. “So, the ability to run the ball is going to be very important in this game.”
The running back room will look significantly different in 2024 than it has the last two years. Two-time All-SEC running back Quinshon Judkins transferred to Ohio State this offseason. The Rebels return senior Ulysses Bentley IV and added Rashad Amos and Henry Parrish Jr. through the transfer portal.
Senior quarterback Jaxson Dart said he was excited about the potential of the Rebels’ new-look running back room.
“I’ve been stoked about it. When you bring in a new running back room entirely, pretty much, it’s fun to kind of see what those guys can do,” Dart said. “With what we lost, it brought in a lot of opportunities for guys to step up. And I think they’ve done an amazing job. And it’s actually been some production that I’m very thrilled to have. And I think that when you’re just a quarterback and can have a strong run game, it just makes everything so much easier. … I’m excited for that room, and I think it’s probably the most underrated part of our team this year.”
The injuries at receiver have also allowed some younger players to step up to the plate at the position, Dart said.
“I think guys like Cayden Lee, Ayden (Williams), Noreel (White), Josh Aka. Those guys have had great camps, just getting better each and every day,” Dart said. “They’ve been super impressive guys to watch and throw the ball to. So, we have a lot of weapons, from the guys that are coming back, the older guys, and to the younger guys. I’m just happy with the progression they’ve made and the standard of excellence that they want to go out and play with each and every day.”
Kiffin confirms brother’s addition to staff
Kiffin confirmed for reporters Monday that his brother, Chris, is joining the Rebels’ staff. Chris Kiffin was most recently the linebackers coach for the Houston Texans and was the Cleveland Browns’ defensive line coach before that. Chris was Lane’s defensive coordinator at FAU in 2017.
“It’s really awesome to have him around,” Lane Kiffin said. “Without being too personal … I know my dad’s excited about that. … And from a coaching standpoint, it gives us someone with a lot of experience and good ability to gameplan and knowledge.
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