Lane Kiffin talks optimizing transfer portal for roster management

Lane Kiffin once proclaimed himself the “Portal King.” The Ole Miss coach passed the title on, but opened up about how he goes about using the portal to manage his roster this week.

When using the portal, Kiffin said it’s about balancing needs with the best talent the team can acquire. He added there’s no blueprint, so it’s all about being innovative as the transfer portal landscape evolves.

“There’s specific needs that you’re trying to do and then there’s also best available,” Kiffin told reporters. “The thing about it that’s strange, it’s not like grad transfers where those are positions of need immediately that you take. It may be a grad transfer, it may be someone that has four years to play. It’s very unique and challenging to figure that out.

“There’s no evidence of how to do it and what’s worked, so we’re just trying to be cutting edge in how we’re doing that and putting together our roster.”

Ole Miss has landed 14 transfers this offseason, including former USC quarterback Jaxson Dart, who was the No. 2 transfer in the portal, according to the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings. The Rebels also got Zach Evans — On3’s No. 7-ranked transfer — to come in from TCU, as well as two more Top-50 transfers: Ladarius Tennison (No. 22) and Michael Trigg (No. 38.)

That’s why Kiffin gave himself the title of “Portal King,” a title he eventually passed off to USC coach Lincoln Riley after he landed Caleb Williams, the No. 1 transfer in the portal.

Lane Kiffin: Michael Trigg can be a ‘dynamic mismatch issue’ for defenses

Lane Kiffin continues to add to his tremendous haul in the transfer portal this offseason. Among the talented athletes he’s added to Ole Miss, former USC tight end Michael Trigg may be the most interesting.

Throughout his career, Trigg has earned a reputation of being an athletic freak. However, it hasn’t translated into the stat-sheet — whether it’s because of the offense he was in at USC, or other factors.

In his 2022 National Signing Day press conference, Kiffin stated Trigg could evole into a “dynamic mismatch issue” for defenses.

“Well he is as good a prospect as you can find,” started Kiffin. “Playing receiver, tight end, mismatch issues. So, that’s awesome. Unique skillset. Basketball player.

“So, now we got to translate that and put it all together for him to be that type of player. But, that skillset is there for a dynamic mismatch issue that we’ve seen around the country at times at certain places. Only certain people, unless you have unique receiver skills, are able to do at that position.”