Lane Kiffin calls on Ole Miss fans to stem tide of negative recruiting

Before facing off against Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl on Thanksgiving, Ole Miss has a home game against Vanderbilt. Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin wants to pack Vaught Hemingway Stadium for the game.

Not only to support the seniors playing in their final game but to help out in the recruiting world.

Kiffin has been adamant that a full stadium can do nothing but help Ole Miss’ recruiting efforts. When asked if he has heard positive feedback from prospects about the environment, the head coach said answers have varied.

Sometimes, coaches have even used the lackluster atmosphere as a way to negatively recruit against Ole Miss.

“It depends on which game they have come to,” Kiffin said. “We have kind of heard both. We haven’t been at capacity so that is important. I think it’s hard for fans to understand that. Not just your current players, obviously, like this one Senior Day. Them having energy and not seeing empty seats but recruits and people recruit against you.

“That’s recruiting. You show pictures of your stadium. If you’re playing in a big game and its not full, they use that against you. It’s very important for stadiums to be full, especially when you’re in the SEC trying to recruit and play at a high level.”

Ole Miss currently has the No. 33 overall 2022 class in the country according to the On3 Consensus. Madison (MS) Germantown defensive lineman Zxavian Harris is the highest-rated player in the class, coming in at No. 162 overall.

Less than a month away from national signing day, Kiffin has one more game to show recruits what kind of atmosphere the fans can create.

Lane Kiffin to attend Arch Manning playoff game

There is no bigger than in Oxford than Manning. With father Archie and son Eli being historic quarterbacks to play for Ole Miss, there is another one in the pipeline Kiffin hopes to coach.

New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman five-star 2023 quarterback Arch Manning is the top player in the On3 Consensus 2023 rankings and being recruited by the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, and Texas. Ole Miss is squarely in the race as well.

Kiffin took to Twitter on Friday, saying he would be in attendance for Manning’s playoff game against Episcopal.

Feels like a great night to go watch 2 great high school programs @EHSBRAthletics vs @NewmanAthletes #GoKnights #GoGreenies

— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) November 19, 2021

With Matt Corral set to possibly play his final game in an Ole Miss uniform, Manning could be seen as the replacement in two years’ time. Kiffin will have to win a tough battle but getting facetime with the quarterback can do nothing but help.