Transfer portal: Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin On The Verge Of Adding Elite Defense

The Rebels should see opportunity when looking at the 2024 slate.

Though the SEC adds Oklahoma and Texas for 2024, there is no time like the present for Ole Miss. Cover 3 Podcast host Bud Elliott explained how the program shares that belief, citing a watered-down schedule compared to conference foes as its reason to think 2024 could be the year to make a run. That mindset has been apparent through its approach to the transfer portal and it has made for a hot start as the open market heats up.

“I think they’re going to level up their roster and push all the chips in,” Elliott said. “I think they’re going to land some great players and really throw some cash around.”

Ole Miss has never made the SEC Championship Game. Another strong transfer portal haul could be key. Along with Ole Miss’ approach to the portal, below is a breakdown of the 2024 schedule, the expanded College Football Playoff, intel on which top prospects could end up with the Rebels and others that have already committed to Kiffin.

The 2024 season is one of change across the SEC. Ole Miss looks to capitalize.

ON THE VERGE OF ADDING ELITE TALENT ON DEFENSIVE LINE

Matt Zenitz reported Thursday that Florida EDGE Princely Umanmielen is expected to join the Rebels. He is the No. 8 ranked transfer overall and No. 1 EDGE. Two insiders have placed a Crystal Ball projecting him to land with Ole Miss.

“Umanmielen, a second-team All-SEC selection as a junior at Florida this season, is coming off of a trip to Ole Miss,” Zenitz wrote. “The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Texas native finished this year for the Gators with 11.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks, including 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks in Florida’s final six games. It came after Umanmielen tallied 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 2022.

“NFL scouts have viewed the former four-star recruit as a potential top three NFL draft pick but he opted to enter the transfer portal instead of leaving for the NFL.”

While it’s not as cut and dried, Texas A&M defensive lineman Walter Nolen could relocate to Oxford as well. Zenitz and Steve Wiltfong reported earlier this week that he will visit Ole Miss this week after a trip to Eugene to visit Oregon last weekend. Nolen is the No. 1 ranked transfer.

Nolen finished 2023 with 37 tackles (8.5 for loss) and four sacks. He improved from a freshman campaign that saw him finish with 29 tackles and one sack in 10 games.

RECENT TRANSFER PORTAL SUCCESS

Lane Kiffin frequently had success tapping into the sport’s top resource. He added 18 newcomers in 2022 and trailed only USC in team rankings, which saw heavy movement due to Lincoln Riley’s departure from Oklahoma to Southern California. That class included starting quarterback Jaxson Dart. The haul helped build a foundation for success and the 2024 campaign is more appealing because of it.

Ole Miss had the No. 3 ranked haul the following season, landing several instant-impact newcomers while flipping its roster in the process. It found its quarterback of the future in Walker Howard, who figures to be next in line after Dart’s 2024 campaign unless Howard can outduel him in the offseason. Ole Miss trailed only No. 2 LSU by a hair and No. 1 Colorado, which landed 51 commitments in Deion Sanders’ famed first few months on the job.

What’s different entering 2024? The continuity of roster improvement and a schedule appear to be manageable. Ole Miss is similar to pro teams that, as Elliott described it, “push all the chips in” with the hope of winning big.

2024 SCHEDULE

The SEC released 2024 schedules for each team Wednesday.

“It’s clear that Ole Miss recognizes it has perhaps the SEC’s easiest schedule, a lot of good returning pieces, and has a chance to make a rare run if it can hit some home runs in the portal,” Elliott said.

8/31 – Furman

9/7 – Middle Tennessee

9/14 – at Wake Forest

9/21 – Georgia Southern

9/28 – Kentucky

10/5 – at South Carolina

10/12 – at LSU

10/26 – Oklahoma

11/2 – at Arkansas

11/9 – Georgia

11/23 – at Florida

11/30 – Mississippi State*

*-subject to change

“They scheduled four automatic wins in the non-conference,” Elliott added. “Middle Tennessee, Furman, at Wake and Georgia Southern. They won’t lose to any of those teams.”

Of course, a successful season is potentially much more rewarding moving forward due to the expanded College Football Playoff format arriving next season. Rather than four teams, 12 teams will receive invitations to compete for the sport’s throne.

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12-TEAM COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FORMAT

National Championship Trophy

Brandon Marcello provided an in-depth breakdown of the 12-team format after its Dec. 2022 approval.

12: Playoff teams

11: Playoff games
6: Highest-ranked FBS conference champions
6: Highest-ranked at-large teams
6: Bowls in quarterfinal/semifinal rotation
4: Highest-ranked conference champions receiving first-round byes
4: On-campus games in first round

First round: The 12-team playoff will consist of four first-round games played on the campuses of the higher-seeded teams (No. 5-8). Programs such as Notre Dame not affiliated in conferences are ineligible to receive a first-round bye because of no conference championship.

Quarterfinals: Four teams with first-round byes await first-round winners in the quarterfinals, which will be held at bowl sites. Those bowls will rotate year to year. The Rose Bowl will kick off in the afternoon on New Year’s Day.

Semifinals: Winners advance to play in the semifinals, which will be hosted in bowls on a rotating basis.

National championship: The national championship game will be played in Atlanta on Jan. 20, 2025 and in Miami on Jan. 19, 2026.

INCOMING TRANSFERS:

Key Lawrence, S

Formerly: Oklahoma

Lawrence is the No. 113 overall prospect and No. 9 safety. He is a three-star that committed to Ole Miss Wednesday.

David Johnson of Inside the Rebels: “Ole Miss is the third school Lawrence will suit up for. He started his career at Tennessee as part of the Vols’ 2020 signing class and played in 10 games during his lone season in Knoxville, Tennessee. He then hit the transfer portal before transferring to Oklahoma, where he spent the last three seasons.

“Lawrence appeared in 36 games over the last three seasons at Oklahoma. He made 14 starts for the Sooners, including six at safety this season while appearing in all 12 of Oklahoma’s regular-season games.”

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TAHVEON NICHOLSON, CB

Formerly: Illinois

Tahveon Nicholson is the No. 140 overall prospect and No. 12 cornerback. He is a three-star prospect and committed to Ole Miss back on Dec. 9, five days after entering the portal.

Johnson: “Nicholson registered 36 tackles, six passes defended and three forced fumbles. A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Nicholson tallied a total of 66 tackles in his three career with the Illini. He was a starter on the 2022 Illini defense that was the nation’s best in pass efficiency defense and its leader in interceptions. He was named Illinois’ Howard Griffith Impact Player Award.”

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CHRIS PAUL JR., LB

Formerly: Arkansas

Landing Chris Paul Jr. is significant. He is a four-star and the No. 44 ranked player in the portal. Notably, he is the No. 1 linebacker. He commited to Ole Miss Dec. 8, four days after entering.

Johnson: “In three seasons with the Arkansas Razorbacks, Paul totaled 137 tackles (68 solo), one pass breakup and six sacks. The Peach State native redshirted his first season in 2021 and became a starting member of the Razorback defense the season after.”

LOUIS MOORE, S

Formerly: Indiana

It’s clear that adding talent on defense is a priority for Kiffin and staff. Louis Moore committed to Ole Miss Dec. 11 after entering the portal on Nov. 30. He’s capable of playing on both sides of the ball but he arrives at Ole Miss as a safety.

Johnson: “After a stint at Navarro (Texas) Community College, Moore signed with Indiana. In 2022, the 6-1, 190-pounder registered nine tackle, one sack and a forced fumble for the Hoosiers. He exploded, however in 2023, making 83 tackle with three forced fumbles and three interceptions.”

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GERQUAN SCOTT, OL

Formerly: Southern Miss

Gerquan Scott didn’t have to go far to find himself on the Power Five level. The Alabama native remains a resident of Mississippi by bouncing from Southern Miss to Ole Miss. He is the No. 118 overall transfer and No. 2 interior offensive lineman.

Johnson: “Ole Miss targeted the 6-4, 300-pounder to play on the interior of its offensive line, including both guard and center. In addition to Ole Miss and Auburn, Scott held offers from South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Colorado, Virginia Tech, Houston, Tulsa, UNLV, South Florida and Marshall.”

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WHAT IS THE NCAA TRANSFER PORTAL?

The portal is an online database that players will enter their name into if they decide to pursue a transfer. Players notify their current school’s compliance office that they wish to put their name into the portal — typically, players’ names show up within 48 hours. Coaches have access to the database and can contact any player who has entered.

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WHEN WILL THE TRANSFER PORTAL OPEN?

Technically, players can enter the portal at any time. But unless they do so within their sport’s official “windows,” they will have to sit out one season.

College football has two windows: one following the regular season and one following spring practice. The fall portal window opened Dec. 3, one day after conference championship games. It will remain open for 30 days, closing at the end of the day on Jan. 2, 2024. Players who compete in a postseason contest (the CFB Playoff or a bowl game) will be given an additional five-day window to transfer after their final contest.

Prior to this school year, players had 45 days to enter their name in the portal following the end of the regular season. The NCAA amended that rule this fall, cutting down the window to 30 days.

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IS A PLAYER FORCED TO LEAVE HIS SCHOOL AFTER ENTERING THE PORTAL?

No. In fact, players sometimes withdraw their names from the portal and end up staying with their respective programs.

Often times, however, the decision to enter the portal comes with some amount of displeasure on either the player’s side or the program’s side. Most players who enter the portal do not return to their previous school, and they’re often removed from the team immediately upon entering.