Jayden Williams injury update: Lane Kiffin reveals if Ole Miss OL will return in 2024

Ole Miss offensive lineman Jayden Williams is not ready to return yet, but Lane Kiffin anticipates the big man to return during the regular season.

He was a surprised addition to the injury report at the end of September, but he’s due back. Still, there’s no timetable just yet.

When he does, Williams could certainly provide a boost to the Ole Miss offense.

“I definitely anticipate him returning this regular season, yes,” Kiffin said.

Williams started at tackle as a true freshman in 2022 and was a Freshman All-American and was beat out in 2023 for a starting gig.

Instead of hitting the transfer portal, Williams stuck it out to carve out a role in 2024.

“I was coming off surgery, we had a coaching change and things didn’t go my way, so I had to grow up,” Williams said earlier this season, via OM Spirit. “I had to come in this year and step things up, be more mature and hit football harder.

“I had a daughter born last year. I was trying to get over the hump then, but I couldn’t. I had to mature, I had to look in the mirror. I thought about transferring, but when I evaluated everything, I was the problem and leaving would not solve anything.”

As a member of the Class of 2021, Williams was a four-star recruit out of Conway (Ark.) High, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 2 overall prospect in the state, the No. 29 offensive tackle in the class and the No. 343 overall prospect in the class.

Lane Kiffin anticipates Jayden Williams return

Williams could help the Ole Miss offense, which was hot to start the season. But with two losses now on the record, there are more questions.

“This is a really big game for us,” Kiffin said on Monday. He was holding his weekly press conference. “Big matchup to have Oklahoma coming here. Playing great defense (and) just changed their offensive staff. Looks like they changed their quarterback. Sounds like getting some receivers healthy. 

“This is a big challenge for us. Excited to be back in front of our home crowd and get back on track.”

Ole Miss takes on Oklahoma this weekend when the Sooners come to town for a 12:00 p.m. ET kickoff.