'Our Fans and State Own Our Team': Lane Kiffin Praises Grove Collective, Ole Miss Supporters

The Ole Miss Rebels reeled in one of the premier defensive line classes in the country on Early Signing Day, thanks in large part to a well-oiled NIL collective that has the full support of fans.

OXFORD, Miss. -- Early Signing Day has come and gone for the 2024 cycle, and the Ole Miss Rebels finished the holiday with a recruitment class stocked full of talent on the defensive side of the ball.

This is arguably Lane Kiffin's best signing class to date with the Rebels, and while Kiffin and his staff have done a phenomenal job on the recruitment trail, the results seen today are a testament to the work Ole Miss has put into its NIL fund, The Grove Collective.

Kiffin got the opportunity to speak about Ole Miss' success on ESD during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, and began his media availability by expressing gratitude to his staff and giving a big shoutout to Rebel fans.

Carleigh Harbin-The Grove Report

"To be able to put this many guys together takes a lot of work by a lot of people," Kiffin told reporters. "Very grateful to all those that helped around here putting together what I think on paper - collection wise - would easily be our best class we've signed since we've been here. 

Rebels 2024 Early Signing Day Live Tracker

"A lot of thanks to Walker Jones, The Grove Collective and our fans. Our fans and our state own our team, and I think they've really shown up and done a great job in a number of ways - including support during season in the stands. We recorded the highest attendance for a season in the history of the school. A lot of good things going on right now."

The Rebels finished ESD with the No. 19 recruitment class in the nation and the No. 10 class in the Southeastern Conference, according to On3. 

Ole Miss now has its sights set on the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 30 versus the Penn State Nittany Lions. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT in Mercedez-Benz Stadium and the game will be televised on ESPN.