Ole Miss finds Caden Davis replacement in WKU kicker Lucas Carneiro
Ole Miss has found its kicker for the 2025-26 season.
The Rebels are bringing in Western Kentucky transfer Lucas Carneiro to replace departing starter Caden Davis. Carneiro was the preseason CUSA Special Teams Player of the Year, and later a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award. Three times this season Carneiro was named CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week.
Carneiro made 26 of 30 field goals in his two seasons with the Hilltoppers, including a long of 54. He was 18 for 19 last year and 6 for 6 from 50-plus. He made all of his extra-point attempts and all nine of his attempts from 40-plus. Carneiro chose Ole Miss over Oklahoma and others.
Ole Miss will lose both Davis and punter Fraser Masin after the Grove Bowl. The No. 14 Rebels (9-3, 5-3 SEC) take on Duke (9-3, 5-3 ACC) at 6:30 p.m. CT on January 2, 2025. ESPN will carry the game.
Davis kicked two seasons at Ole Miss following a transfer from Texas A&M. He made 23 of 28 (82 percent) this season, including a long of 57. Davis spent four seasons with the Aggies.
“I wanted to stay in the SEC,” Davis said of his decision to finish his college career at Ole Miss. “It’s by far the best conference in football. I liked coach (Lane) Kiffin a lot and just thought this program had a lot of excitement. I wanted to come help this team win. I’ve always thought Ole Miss was a cool place.”
Top 10
- 1New
Urban Meyer
Coach alarmed by UT fan turnout at OSU
- 2
Bowl insurance
Historic policies for Hunter, Shedeur
- 3Hot
CFP home games
Steve Spurrier calls for change
- 4
Nick Saban endorsed
Lane Kiffin suggests as commish
- 5
Diego Pavia
Vandy QB ruling forces change
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
The Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Year and your new kicker, Lucas Carneiro🔥🔥
— Everything Ole Miss (@EverythingRebs) December 23, 2024
Carneiro was 6-6 from 50+ this year#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/dQ7DouxcOO
Davis in 2023 was 18-23 on field goals.
He was 2 for 4 from 50-plus.
Davis hit a 56-yarder at Tulane — which, at the time, was the best by a Rebel since 1988. He was named SEC Player of the Week. Davis made 4-5 from 30-39 yards, 5 for 7 from 40-49 yards and 2 for 4 from 50-plus.
Davis also handled kickoffs, while Carneiro didn’t at WKU. The Rebels have also been linked to Memphis transfer Caden Costa. Costa kicked previously for the Rebels. Davis had 147 touchbacks and averaged 64.4 yards per kickoff over his Rebel career.
Carneiro should be in good hands with Ole Miss special teams coordinator Jake Schoonover.
“He’s probably my favorite coach I’ve had since I started playing sports,” Davis previously told the Ole Miss Spirit. “I’ve only ever had one other, from Texas A&M. The biggest difference is he actually listens to us.”
