Culture of Ole Miss football enough to pull Kewan Lacy to Oxford the second time around

Few, if any, positions on the Ole Miss football roster last season brought about more hand-wringing than running back. 

The Rebels addressed arguably their biggest problem area, at least on offense, through multiple transfer additions, headlined by Kewan Lacy, formerly of Missouri. 

Ole Miss desperately wanted Lacy out of high school in the 2024 recruiting class. He ended up at Missouri, but in less than a year he’s finally a Rebel. Ole Miss landed him in December after just a day in the portal.

Lacy was a 4-star recruit, as well as the nation’s No. 258 overall prospect and No. 18 running back. Lacy appeared in six games last season, finishing with 104 rushing yards on 23 carries. He had a pair of catches for nine scoreless yards.

“What brought me here was really just the culture of the program and the coaches,” Lacy said. “Coach (Charlie) Weis, the offensive coordinator, you know, I just love the offense and how fast-paced it is and how it’s like the NFL already.

“Hitting the portal, it was just finding the best fit for me and where I can show my abilities. I just felt like coming out of high school this is one of my top choices. It’s a good program, I love the offense.”

Ole Miss on Saturday wrapped its third full week of spring football practices. 

The Rebels return to the fields on Tuesday. ‘Meet the Rebels’ is coming back from a six-year hiatus on April 12 as the replacement for the typical end-of-spring scrimmage.

Logan Diggs has operated as the team’s lead back, but Lacy and others aren’t far behind. Diggs is a one-time transfer from LSU. He was limited last season following an ACL tear in his final game as a Tiger.

“I didn’t have to make any new relationships for anybody,” Lacy said of his transfer decision. “I already knew what I was coming into or what I wanted to go into. It was smooth and easy.

“(Lacy and RBs coach Kevin Smith) are really close, man. That’s my dog. Me and him are really tight. He’s trying to get me where I want to be, so I just take the coaching points and we just have a good relationship.”

Trey Hall, a JUCO transfer, is out for 2025 with an Achilles injury.

4-star high school signee Shekai Mills-Knight wasn’t an early enrollee, though he’s attended practices this spring. Akron’s Jordon Simmons has been productive over his career, while short-yardage back Domonique Thomas returns for a second Ole Miss season after a transfer from Georgia State.

“Really high-end player,” Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin said of Lacy. “When I say high-end, like, look at players and there’s some that can only go so far. Because of his height/speed ratio and the way he moves he could be really elite. I’m really excited that he got here second time around.”

“I love him. That’s my head coach,” Lacy said of Kiffin.

“He’s a quiet guy, but seeing him open up when we’re having one-on-one competitions, seeing him laugh and stuff, it’s fun. It’s great to come play for him. He’s been the same throughout the process. He’s very business-organized; he’s going to look at everything through the same lens.”

Mills-Knight was ranked by the On3 Industry Ranking as the nation’s No. 9 running back and No. 145 overall player.

“He came down for a couple of practices,” Lacy said. “We sat down and had some fun. We went out, got some food and everything. When he comes in it’s going to be a great running back room. We’re already building it right now. Just being a leader to him and everything. It’s going to be a great room.”

Ole Miss is also breaking in a new starting quarterback in Austin Simmons. 

Simmons replaces three-year starter and record-setter Jaxson Dart. Dart has been building momentum for the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft since Ole Miss in January wrapped its third 10-win season in the last four years.

“Austin Simmons, he’s a great guy, man,” Lacy said. “He knows everything. He’s smart. If you’re having trouble with a play or anything, just ask him. He knows what everybody’s doing on the field — the offensive line, receivers. It’s great having him back there.”