Lane Kiffin addresses transfer market, defends Ole Miss

Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin knows players transfer every season. It is one of the unavoidable aspects of college sports.

After signing a class of 16 on Early Signing Day, Kiffin addressed whether the Rebels will have room to attack the portal themselves.

“We’ll have guys leave just like everybody does, regardless of how your program is,” he said. “I think that we don’t have many guys that play very much come and want to leave. I think they’re happy here. They like the atmosphere and how we do it. Other programs, you see high-profile players leaving just because they don’t like it. Ours are more guys that just aren’t playing enough, which we understand. We help them and wish them the best. I think we’ll see more of that, so there will be space.”

Ole Miss finished 10-2 in Kiffin’s second year at the helm, earning a trip to the Sugar Bowl. But after signing a relatively small class, the coach may turn to transfers to fill in some of the gaps.

He already gained a commitment from former Auburn safety Ladarius Tennison, a four-star recruit in 2020. He totaled 14 tackles over five games with the Tigers this past season.

With Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral set to enter the NFL draft, Kiffin could have his eye on another Auburn transfer. Bo Nix has started the past three seasons under center for the Tigers, but entered the transfer portal earlier this month. In a Friday appearance on the Next Round, the quarterback addressed rumors linking him to the Rebels.

“I have not spoken on the phone with Coach Kiffin,” Nix said. “I have texted him, but they’re in the middle of Sugar Bowl practice, so he’s pretty busy. He’s obviously trying on his end, but he’s trying to win a game too and give Matt Corral his best chance to finish his season. They’re trying to get to 11 wins themselves.”

Nix entered the portal on Dec. 13 with a “do not contact” tag, suggesting he already has an idea of where he wants to go. Should Lane Kiffin land the Auburn transfer, it would keep Ole Miss in the conversation for an SEC title next year.

But first, they have a New Year’s Six bowl game to focus on. Ole Miss is set to face the Baylor Bears in the Sugar Bowl at 8:45 p.m. ET on New Year’s Day.