Lane Kiffin: Ole Miss heading towards zero players opting out for Gator Bowl, for now
On Monday No. 14 Ole Miss got official news that quarterback Jaxson Dart will finish out his collegiate career through to the end and play in the Gator Bowl next month.
Dart was one of four players to make their intentions known, publicly, on Monday but according to head coach Lane Kiffin the Rebels might be taking a full roster to Jacksonville.
During Tuesday’s first official press conference with Kiffin and Duke head coach Manny Diaz, via Zoom, the former provided more good news.
“Our players are excited. It’s a while until we play but it seems like our players that maybe were in question of playing and opting out for the (NFL) draft, as of right now, all have said they’re playing,” Kiffin said. “That’s exciting and I think that says a lot about this team, in an age where that isn’t the case a lot of times.”
Wide receiver Jordan Watkins and defensive backs Trey Washington and Trey Amos announced via their X accounts that they were going to also play in the “last one,” joining Dart.
Plenty of speculation this time of year as opting out of bowl games that are not tied into the College Football Playoffs has become the norm. Teams not fighting for more than a trophy in a bowl game not associated in a national championship are taking slimmed down rosters.
Ole Miss has plenty of players on its roster to warrant the same speculation.
The Ole Miss Spirit’s Chuck Rounsaville reported on Monday that defensive lineman Jared Ivey and Walter Nolen along with running back Ulysses Bentley IV might be opting out. Offensive lineman Micah Pettus was also considering his options.
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Though on Tuesday, Kiffin seemed to douse that speculation. Of course it could all be gamesmanship as Diaz was on the same Zoom call and could hear everything Kiffin was saying and vice versa.
Duke has its own opt out speculation brewing after it was reported on Monday that starting quarterback Maalik Murphy was hitting the transfer portal and would not play in the Gator Bowl. Diaz did not confirm but did heavily infer the Blue Devils will be without Murphy.
As for the Rebels, Kiffin was asked to clarify his comments in his opening statement and doubled down that right now those NFL Draft potential players are seeing the season to the end.
“I mean, things could change,” Kiffin said. “As of today we’ve had conversations with all the guys and no one has said they’re not playing. There’s still a lot of time between now and the game, but it seems like it’s heading that direction.”
Ole Miss and Duke will play on January 2 at 6:30 p.m. CT, giving more than three weeks until the game takes place.
