Ole Miss Rebels Lane Kiffin Working Double Duty In Preparation For Early Signing Period And Peach Bowl

Ole Miss Rebels coach Lane Kiffin has little time off as the Early Signing Period and Peach Bowl are right around the corner.

As Ole Miss begins preparation for a date against Penn State in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Lane Kiffin is putting the finishing touches on building a recruiting class. 

It's a balancing act these days in Oxford for Kiffin. He's game-planning to help the No. 11 Rebels (10-2) finish with their first 11-win season in program history while also looking ahead to next season and beyond. 

That includes working the transfer portal, an area of expertise for the fourth-year coach known as the "Portal King" by some. He's managed the formula so far over the past week-plus, however. 

Since being invited to the Peach Bowl, Kiffin's been on the recruiting trail. Soon, his attention will turn to strictly bowl prep. 

“It’s been a challenge with our own practice, preparing for the game, and then the recruiting schedule,” Kiffin said Tuesday. “It is what it is. I’m a little more familiar, but we’re still not all the way into game planning with our players yet because we’re so far out from the game.”

For now, Kiffin's busy meeting with players who intend to sign on Dec. 20's Early Signing Day. Not to mention, the Rebels' coach is meeting with recruits who could flip at the last minute and join the party in Oxford. 

Back on campus, practice is underway. The No. 10 Nittany Lions (10-2) remain one of the nation's top programs despite finishing third in the Big Ten East and could post their second consecutive 11-win season with a victory on Dec. 30. 

They will be short-handed, however, in multiple areas. Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich was fired following a loss to Michigan last month. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz recently departed State College to replace Mike Elko as Duke's head coach. 

Nov 23, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin (right) talks with defensive back Daijahn Anthony (3) prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports / © Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Several players could also opt out and begin preparation for the NFL draft, including potential top offensive tackle Olu Fashanu. Defensive lineman Chop Robinson recently announced he'd forgo the Peach Bowl to begin draft preparation. 

Those problems don't seem to be a concern for the Rebels, as players seem more inclined to return for another season at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Since the bowl bid, Jordan Watkins, Tre Harris, Caden Prieskorn, and Jared Ivey have all announced they will return for the 2024 season.

Senior receiver Dayton Wade will declare for the draft, but he is expected to play in Atlanta, thus only strengthening the roster. 

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"I’m very pleased with how many guys came back," said Kiffin. "It’s really neat that they feel that way about the program and feel that way about the locker room that they would choose to come back.”