🔴 Ole Miss Rebels — 2025 Season Preview

cashincountry
Aug 27
2 min read

📍 Conference: SEC🏟️ Home Field: Vaught–Hemingway Stadium👔 Head Coach: Lane Kiffin (6th season)

📝 Preseason Overview

The Ole Miss Rebels enter 2025 as a dangerous dark-horse contender in the SEC. The program has experienced significant roster turnover, but Lane Kiffin has reloaded through the transfer portal and top recruiting classes. The spotlight is firmly on first-year starter Austin Simmons at quarterback and a revamped receiving corps as the Rebels chase a 10-win season and College Football Playoff aspirations.

🔥 Key Players to Watch

Position	Player	Outlook
WR Cayden Lee	Returning 874 yards in 2024, Lee is projected to top 1,200 yards this year as Simmons’ top target.
QB Austin Simmons	The new starter has a big arm and command of the offense, success hinges on his growth.
LB TJ Dottery	Emerging leader on defense; projected 100+ tackles in 2025.
EDGE Princewill Umanmielen	Breakout pass rusher, expected to approach 10+ sacks.
RB Trey Hall & Kewan Lacy	Transfer duo adds depth and versatility to the backfield.
TE Luke Hasz	Red zone weapon with positional flexibility; trusted by Simmons.
WR De’Zhaun Stribling	Portal addition expected to be a consistent target in Kiffin’s offense.

🚀 Offensive Outlook

Kiffin’s high-powered scheme remains a nightmare for opposing defenses, but this year’s success hinges on Simmons’ ability to step into Jaxson Dart’s shoes. Cayden Lee is the focal point, while Hall and Lacy’s rushing abilities balance the offense. TE Luke Hasz adds red-zone reliability, and De’Zhaun Stribling brings immediate impact as a veteran receiver.

🔒 Defensive Outlook

Ole Miss’s defense is loaded with emerging stars:

Princewill Umanmielen: Younger brother of last year’s star Princely Umanmielen; poised to be a top SEC edge threat.
TJ Dottery: The Rebels’ defensive captain in the making, leading the front seven.
A new-look secondary and rotational defensive line give Ole Miss the potential to be one of the SEC’s most disruptive units.

📆 Key Games

@ Georgia: Early season measuring stick.
@ Oklahoma: Another road war; CFP stakes likely.
vs. Alabama: Home matchup that could determine SEC West power.
vs. LSU: Death Valley revenge game.

📈 Strengths & Challenges

Strengths:

Elite offensive scheme with versatile talent.
Defensive playmakers ready for breakout years.
Kiffin’s ability to plug portal talent into his system.

Challenges:

QB Simmons’ inexperience.
WR corps has star power but little proven depth.
SEC road schedule is brutal.

🔮 Season Projection

Ole Miss could very realistically hit 10 wins if Simmons develops quickly. This roster has Playoff upside but razor-thin margins — staying healthy and winning big road games is essential.