Transfers are making instant impact for Ole Miss

Perhaps no one leaned harder into the transfer portal than Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss did in the offseason. That roster-building strategy is paying off through four games in 2022.

The Rebels are up to No. 14 in the AP poll and are a near touchdown favorite over Kentucky as Kiffin’s third team in Oxford ranks very high in the computer metrics. The additions from the portal are helping raise the expectations in Hotty Toddy land.

Expect multiple transfers to make an impact for Ole Miss on Saturday.

— Jaxson Dart (USC): The former top-50 recruit started multiple games for USC and is now QB1 in Oxford. The Utah native is averaging 8.5 yards per attempt and has rushed for 202 yards, but it’s clear that Kiffin wants his young QB to improve his game management.

— Zach Evans (TCU): A five-star prospect from Houston, Evans has the attention of the scouting community as he’s now draft eligible. The explosive tailback is averaging 7.0 yards per rush on 205 career attempts and is dangerous with the ball in his hands. However, the junior is dealing with a hip injury suffered last week.

— Malik Heath (Mississippi State): After a pit stop in junior college, the 6-foot-3 wide receiver spent multiple seasons in Starkville before entering the transfer portal. At Ole Miss, Heath has provided some surprising explosive play (16.9 yards per catch) production as he leads the team in targets (20), receptions (13), and receiving touchdowns (3).

Dotted. @JaxsonDart ➡️ @MalikHeath2
🖥 https://t.co/3xOaIvd1CQ pic.twitter.com/n2VlbLPah3

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 24, 2022

— Jordan Watkins (Louisville): The former mid-three star recruit led Louisville wideouts in receptions (35) and receiving yards (544) last season but has yet to make a big impact for Ole Miss. The junior has been the primary punt returned in Oxford but had issues fielding punts against Tulsa.

— Jaylon Robinson (UCF): The offense desperately needed a vertical field stretcher, and Ole Miss was hopeful that Robinson could provide that. However, the redshirt senior missed the last two games with injury but should be full go on Saturday. Expect Ole Miss to potentially target No. 9 on some vertical concepts as he’s 17.1 yards per catch on 79 career receptions.

— Micahel Trigg (USC): A top-150 recruit out of Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day has sky-high potential as a flex tight end. He’s been a big part of the package early for Ole Miss with 19 targets but has just one reception over 15 yards.

— Mason Brooks (WKU): The Texas native was considered one of the top tackles to enter the transfer portal in the offseason, but the All-Conference USA performer is playing guard for Ole Miss. If center Caleb Warren is unable to go on Saturday, Brooks could earn the start against Kentucky.

— JJ Pegues (Auburn): After playing both offense and defense on the Plains, Pegues returned home in the offseason. The Oxford (Miss.) High product has time with an injury but is fully healthy now and is the defense’s top run stuffer.

— Jared Ivey (Georgia Tech): After two years in the ACC, Ivey moved to Ole Miss and is giving the Rebels some solid pass rush production off the bench. Expect to see No. 15 racing off the edge on passing downs against Kentucky’s tackles.

— Troy Brown (Central Michigan): A three-time All-MAC selection, Brown moved to Ole Miss as a super senior and has immediately become one of the best players on the defense. The super senior leads the team in tackles (29) and plays a key role in the unit’s run fits when the Rebels play light numbers in the box.

— Khari Coleman (TCU): The New Orleans (La.) G.W. Carver is a hybrid player that can play off-ball linebacker or rush the passer from the edge, and he’s flashed immediately as a junior. Coleman has racked up 6.5 tackles for loss, and a case could be made for him as this unit’s top defensive player. However, the versatile defender is dealing with an ankle injury and might be a scratch on Saturday.

— Isheem Young (Iowa State): Yet another Big 12 transfer, Young was quietly one of the top pickups for Ole Miss in the portal. The redshirt junior brought experience in a good 3-2-6 to Oxford and has been an impact performer. Found playing a lot of deep safety for the Rebels, the Mid-Atlantic native has a lot to do with the defense’s big-play prevention.

— Ladarius Tennison (Auburn): Another SEC West transfer plays a role in the secondary for the Rebels. The junior out of Rockledge (Fla.) High is a very good run support player and likely plays a big role on Saturday as starter Otis Reese serves a first-half targeting suspension.