In Case You Missed It: Kiffin had not-so-insignificant update on Ole Miss offensive line in weekly presser
Somewhat lost in the wash of Lane Kiffin’s weekly press conference on Monday was a not-so-insignificant update on the Ole Miss offensive line.
Kiffin — midway through his some 13 minutes at the interview podium — was asked about the emergence of redshirt freshman left tackle Jayden Williams. Williams has started each of the first two games, a pair of Ole Miss blowout wins.
The Rebels next travel to Georgia Tech for a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff in Atlanta.
“He just had a great camp,” Kiffin said. “Got hurt in that first game and hasn’t played as well probably as he would have otherwise. He’s been a little up-and-down through two games since that injury.
“But he’s been a great surprise because he had such an awesome off-season physically and changed himself physically a lot.”
The injury note was notable enough, but it’s what Kiffin said next that really stood out.
To preface, Williams had a break-out preseason camp in August. His strong play in less than two weeks of practices all but forced the hands of Kiffin and the Rebel coaching staff to reshuffle their long-laid plans up front.
They shifted a sure-fire NFL draft prospect, veteran tackle Jeremy James, from his natural position of right tackle to left in November. He practiced at the spot all spring.
Additionally, they went all out to land coveted Western Kentucky transfer Mason Brooks over Auburn, Mississippi State, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. Brooks was a two-time All-Conference USA right tackle.
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Williams was just that good.
So, James slid back over, and Brooks was moved out of the starting lineup and into more of a swing role.
Williams’ fast rise up the depth chart was almost jarring. But as Kiffin — sporting a now-viral red hoodie, with ‘Transfer to the Sip’ blazoned across the chest — noted on Monday, Ole Miss is in the business of winning games above all else.
“I think (Williams starting) speaks to how we run our program,” Kiffin said. “It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you’re from. If you transferred, if you didn’t. How many stars, whatever.
“We look to find the best players to help us win over the course of the season, even if that means you may struggle a little early playing a young guy (if) it’s the best thing for the entire season.”
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