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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Football Practice Report: Media Day
8/3/2022 | Football
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Kiffin, Rebels Meet with Media to Kick Off Fall Camp
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss football team completed their first practice of fall camp Wednesday, marking the official start to the 2022 season.
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin met with the media following Tuesday's opening practice to discuss the direction of the team, which is coming off a historic 10-win regular season.
UNDERSTANDING EXPECTATIONS
The Rebels brought in a total of 28 transfers, including 24 portal transfers that ranked as the second-best unit in the country.
Kiffin knows that cohesiveness is key and could go a long ways into determining the success of the Rebels moving forward.
"Like we told the team in the team meeting, this is a different era nowadays in general," Kiffin said. "You don't have programs where everyone has been there for years and understands what the expectations are.
"It's about how well we can get the players to buy into the values and principles of our organization and what we do here because we know that's not just going to happen overnight. The challenge now is the faster we can do that, the better we'll be."
NEW FACES, NEW SYSTEMS
The Rebels will have to replace a lot of key members from their historic 2021 campaign, but Kiffin and company are anxious to see what new faces can bring to the Ole Miss program.
Despite featuring an explosive offense and finishing top six in the country over the last two seasons in total offense, Kiffin explains that the players will be the key factor in progressing forward, rather than scheme.
"We just have to figure out the best people to play and the best systems to play in," Kiffin said. "We don't just run a system no matter what and make players fit into that. We look at the players and who's the best to play and then form a system around them. That's why year in and year out we've looked different on offense and defense."
With six defensive players from last season currently on NFL rosters, including sacks leader and second round NFL pick Sam Williams, the Rebels are looking for production from both their returners and the new faces on the team.
"I think this year on defense, you're going to have a lot of that because we lost a lot of moving parts and some really key players. We're going to have some challenges there as we figure out what's the best way to play and how many lineman and linebackers and defensive backs can do that for us."
NO RUSH ON QB SITUATION
The Rebels will look to replace Matt Corral at quarterback after the two-year starter was drafted in the third round NFL Draft.
"We're trying to replacing a veteran quarterback that played extremely well and at times, put an injured offense on his shoulders and was able to do it himself in order to win the game," Kiffin said. "One of these guys isn't going to fill that role exactly yet, so it's going to take having other people around them to help with that."
The battle for the starting QB nod started during spring drills and will continue throughout fall camp.
"I mean we'd like to find out sooner rather than later, and like everything else we do here, we have analytics," Kiffin said. "So, with the more information we have, the better we can make a decision. We can't rush that.
"I think competition is great for anybody, especially with both of them being young, but I do think that makes you better no matter how old you are. We're looking for the guy that leads the team and moves the team the best … The bottom line is are you going to turn the ball over or are you going to score it?"
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin met with the media following Tuesday's opening practice to discuss the direction of the team, which is coming off a historic 10-win regular season.
UNDERSTANDING EXPECTATIONS
The Rebels brought in a total of 28 transfers, including 24 portal transfers that ranked as the second-best unit in the country.
Kiffin knows that cohesiveness is key and could go a long ways into determining the success of the Rebels moving forward.
"Like we told the team in the team meeting, this is a different era nowadays in general," Kiffin said. "You don't have programs where everyone has been there for years and understands what the expectations are.
"It's about how well we can get the players to buy into the values and principles of our organization and what we do here because we know that's not just going to happen overnight. The challenge now is the faster we can do that, the better we'll be."
NEW FACES, NEW SYSTEMS
The Rebels will have to replace a lot of key members from their historic 2021 campaign, but Kiffin and company are anxious to see what new faces can bring to the Ole Miss program.
Despite featuring an explosive offense and finishing top six in the country over the last two seasons in total offense, Kiffin explains that the players will be the key factor in progressing forward, rather than scheme.
"We just have to figure out the best people to play and the best systems to play in," Kiffin said. "We don't just run a system no matter what and make players fit into that. We look at the players and who's the best to play and then form a system around them. That's why year in and year out we've looked different on offense and defense."
With six defensive players from last season currently on NFL rosters, including sacks leader and second round NFL pick Sam Williams, the Rebels are looking for production from both their returners and the new faces on the team.
"I think this year on defense, you're going to have a lot of that because we lost a lot of moving parts and some really key players. We're going to have some challenges there as we figure out what's the best way to play and how many lineman and linebackers and defensive backs can do that for us."
NO RUSH ON QB SITUATION
The Rebels will look to replace Matt Corral at quarterback after the two-year starter was drafted in the third round NFL Draft.
"We're trying to replacing a veteran quarterback that played extremely well and at times, put an injured offense on his shoulders and was able to do it himself in order to win the game," Kiffin said. "One of these guys isn't going to fill that role exactly yet, so it's going to take having other people around them to help with that."
The battle for the starting QB nod started during spring drills and will continue throughout fall camp.
"I mean we'd like to find out sooner rather than later, and like everything else we do here, we have analytics," Kiffin said. "So, with the more information we have, the better we can make a decision. We can't rush that.
"I think competition is great for anybody, especially with both of them being young, but I do think that makes you better no matter how old you are. We're looking for the guy that leads the team and moves the team the best … The bottom line is are you going to turn the ball over or are you going to score it?"
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
DL
/ FootballPRESSER: Kam Franklin 4-7-26
Tuesday, April 07
PRESSER: Patrick Kutas 4-7-26
Tuesday, April 07
PRESSER: Pete Golding 4-7-26
Tuesday, April 07
PRESSER: Will Echoles 4-3-26
Friday, April 03