Lane Kiffin Built an Ole Miss Roster To Compete Against the Elite in College Football

Lane Kiffin learnt things about his team from last season's Georgia game in Athens. He's answered those questions by building a different roster for the 2024 season.

Ole Miss went into the 2023 meeting with Georgia sitting at 8-1, with an outside chance of making the college football playoffs. However, after a promising start to the game, Georgia outmuscled the Rebels on both sides of the ball.

Kiffin mentioned in his Georgia post-game presser that Ole Miss needed to recruit better if they wanted to compete with the elite in college football. Despite recruiting high school players not drastically improving, Kiffin utilized the transfer portal to improve the roster for a playoff push in 2024.

Lane Kiffin's Transfer Portal Acquisitions Make Them Bigger in the Trenches

Lane Kiffin knew Ole Miss had a chance of making the 2024 college football playoffs if they could strengthen the roster. He did that via the transfer portal, bringing in the No.1 recruiting class in the country.

The offensive line had questions last season, with the skill level below the elite 2023 offenses such as Georgia and LSU. Kiffin brought in two big guards from Washington. Nate Kalepo and Julius Buelow are both over 300 lbs, bringing good size to the interior. They also landed a commitment from big North Carolina left tackle Diego Pounds.

On the defensive front, players such as Princely Umanmielen, Walter Nolen and Chris Paul Jr. add a much more physical element to the defense. It should help against opposing run games, another problem that came up in last season's Georgia game.

Kiffin has made the right moves, improving the team on paper. Ole Miss will be hoping that it all comes together this season.