Tag: Mississippi

Mississippi Rebels coach Lane Kiffin celebrates a pass interference call as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Mississippi Rebels defeated Auburn Tigers 28-21.

No. 13 Ole Miss back home to face ULM with ‘a lot to play for’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ole Miss lost to Alabama in September to fall behind in the SEC West Division race. The Rebels lost to Georgia last week to snap a five-game winning streak.

Both of those games were on the road.

The No. 13 Rebels (8-2, 5-2) are 6-0 at home as they prepare to host Louisiana-Monroe in a non-conference game to conclude their home schedule Saturday.

“The chance to have an undefeated home season is awesome, so obviously a lot to play for with that,” Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said. “Senior day for our guys, a number of them to play their last game here, is special. We’re excited to get this opportunity to get to nine wins, and going undefeated at home would be great.”

The Rebels’ hopes of winning the SEC West fizzled with their 24-10 loss at Alabama, and they were still a national player in the top 10 of the CFP rankings before their 52-17 loss at Georgia.

“You are what you put on film that day. We weren’t very good,” Kiffin said. “When you get knocked down, do you get back up or do you stay down?”

Kiffin recognizes that Ole Miss has a quick turnaround after the game against ULM before it faces in-state rival Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl on Thanksgiving night in Starkville, Miss.

It would be helpful to the Rebels to take command of Saturday’s game against the Warhawks early and get some starters some rest with a short week looming before such an important game.

“It’s always good for your players to have a lower play count,” Kiffin said. “It would be ideal to have lower snap counts, and it’s always good to get more guys experience.”

ULM is 2-8 overall 0-7 in the Sun Belt Conference after consecutive league losses to Southern Miss and Troy.

Warhawks coach Terry Bowden said his goal is to try to finish this season on a high note while setting a positive tone for next season.

“It’s been a year of perseverance,” Bowden said. “We’ve lost a lot of close games. You’ve got to keep your guys playing as hard as they can because if they’re getting better, you’re going to make the best you can out of this season.”

Bowden said he’s trying to balance being as competitive as possible in the last two games while getting a head start on next season.

He said he won’t play freshman quarterback Blake Murphy, who has played in three games as the backup to starter Jiya Wright, against the Rebels so he can play him in the season finale against in-state and Sun Belt Conference rival Louisiana-Lafayette without losing Murphy’s redshirt.

“We’ve got to think of what we can do to become better right now and then get ready for next season,” Bowden said. “Your first goal is trying to get your guys to get better every game and go into the last two games as good as we possibly can be.

“You don’t bench people and play rookies. Your upperclassmen have a chance to go out there and do the best they can. You want to make sure you honor them and you want to win.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs after a catch against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia TE Brock Bowers a game-time decision vs. Ole Miss

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Whether preseason All-American tight end Brock Bowers plays for No. 2 Georgia on Saturday against No. 9 Ole Miss will be a game-time decision.

Bowers had a procedure known as tight-rope surgery to deal with a high-ankle sprain on Oct. 16. At the time, it was believed he’d be out four to six weeks.

His father told the Athens (Ga) Banner-Herald on Friday, however, that there is a shot Bowers will play in the home clash with the Rebels (8-1). And a chance he won’t, too.

“There is no timeline for return to play,” Warren Bowers said via text message, per the newspaper. “It all depends on how the ankle is responding. It could be this week. It could be next week. It could be the following week. Or not at all. It all depends.”

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said Friday on “The Pat McAfee Show” that Bowers is inching closer to playing.

“I still don’t know that Brock’s completely healthy,” Smart said. “Brock’s in a much better place to be able to go out and compete and be closer to going. We’ll find out game time.”

Bowers, who turns 21 next month, has missed two games since sustaining the injury in a 37-20 win at Vanderbilt.

Still, he leads Georgia (9-0) with 41 catches for 567 yards and four touchdowns this season. He also has a rushing touchdown.

Wide receiver Dominic Lovett has caught 39 passes for 398 yards with two touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half of a football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

No. 13 Ole Miss has healthy respect for Auburn

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The oddsmakers say No. 13 Ole Miss is a 6 1/2-point favorite Saturday night at Auburn for their Southeastern Conference matchup.

Rebels coach Lane Kiffin is wary.

“I think we’ve, as a program, won once there in 20 years,” he said. “New challenge to go try win on the road there. This year, like a lot of years, they’re a different team at home.”

The numbers back Kiffin up. The Tigers (3-3, 0-3) are 2-1 in Jordan-Hare Stadium this year, with the loss a 27-20 squeaker to No. 1 Georgia, which required a late touchdown to escape with a win.

Conversely, Auburn is 1-2 on the road, with the only win a 14-10 nailbiter at Cal. Last week, the Tigers were routed 48-18 at then-No. 22 LSU, falling behind 17-0 in the first quarter and allowing 563 total yards for the game.

Auburn came within 3 rushing yards by LSU’s Logan Diggs of permitting a 300-yard passer, a 100-yard rusher and a 100-yard receiver. LSU gained an average of more than 8 1/2 yards every snap in administering its second-most lopsided beatdown of Auburn since the series began 122 years ago.

Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said a slow start really affected the game’s texture.

“We looked like zombies a bit on the sideline after that, and it kind of snowballed,” he said. “I didn’t think we showed up with the right energy and drive and competitive spirit. And that lies in my lap. And that’s disappointing.”

The Tigers’ problems went beyond defense in Baton Rouge. They managed just 18 points and 293 total yards against an LSU defense that has been torched for big numbers by Florida State, Arkansas, Ole Miss and Missouri. Auburn has only managed to top 100 passing yards against a Power 5 opponent once.

But Freeze said not to expect major changes on offense and also said that both Payton Thorne and Robby Ashford would get action at quarterback on Saturday.

“We consider everything and everybody,” Freeze said.

The Rebels (5-1, 2-1) have no such problems under center, where Jaxson Dart is completing 64.1 percent of his passes through six games for 1,638 yards with 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He’s also on pace to rush for more than 600 yards.

Dart’s contributions to a 27-20 win two weeks ago over Arkansas were modest — 153 yards, one touchdown and 33 rushing yards — but he committed no turnovers. That was crucial because the defense came up with two big interceptions that helped secure a win.

But Dart might have to play minus his leading receiver this week. Jordan Watkins, who has 36 catches for 536 yards in six games, was injured in practice during the bye week last week. The specific injury has not been disclosed, and Kiffin didn’t have much to say about it on Monday.

“We anticipate him playing,” the coach said. “That’s all I got.”

Auburn holds a 35-12 lead in the all-time series, including a 17-3 mark at home. Ole Miss took a 48-34 win last year in Oxford.

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quaterback Jaxson Dart (2) leaps over LSU Tigers defensive back Andre' Sam (14) during the second half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Coming off thriller, No. 16 Ole Miss hosts Arkansas

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Ole Miss rose four spots to No. 16 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll Sunday, but more than rankings are ascending for the Rebels.

Coach Lane Kiffin and his squad will try to add to last weekend’s incredible Southeastern Conference victory when Ole Miss (4-1, 1-1) hosts West Division foe Arkansas (2-3, 0-2) in Oxford, Miss.

This week’s game, however, will have a tough time topping last week’s offensive outpouring in a 55-49 instant-classic home victory over then-No. 13 LSU.

In that thriller, the Rebels rallied from a 49-40 deficit in the final 8:34, notching two touchdowns and denying a desperation 25-yard pass into the end zone by the Tigers on the last play.

Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart turned in his best outing of the season, completing 26 of 39 passes for 389 yards and a career-high four touchdowns to go with 50 rushing yards and a score.

By accounting for 439 yards and five TDs, Dart earned Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors in the SEC.

Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins topped the century mark for the first time in 2023 with 177 yards on 33 carries and scored one TD apiece via rushing and receiving.

However, in a night of Rebels mass production — 706 yards of it — the defense made consecutive stops for the win.

That resulted in the record crowd of 66,703 climbing from the stands, storming the field and eventually causing the school to receive a $100,000 SEC fine Sunday for violating the competition area policy.

Kiffin said after stopping LSU’s Jayden Daniels to clinch the big win that the attention will turn to Razorbacks 6-foot-3, 247-pound signal-caller KJ Jefferson.

“I think he gets bigger every year,” the fourth-year Rebels coach said Monday. “I mean, this guy is so hard to bring down and so challenging to play against. He always brings his great game against us also. We’ve got to tackle really well.”

The Razorbacks lost a 52-51 explosive matchup two years ago in Oxford that also came down to the final snap.

In that one, Jefferson (326 passing yards, three TDs) and running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders (139 yards on 17 carries) had impressive outings as then-No. 13 Arkansas scored a touchdown on the final play of regulation to bring the deficit to one point.

However, a failed two-point pass intended for Treylon Burks while Jefferson was being pressured awarded the Rebels.

Last Saturday in his team’s 34-22 loss to Texas A&M, Jefferson’s offense managed just 174 yards, including his 48-yard TD pass to Andrew Armstrong in the closing minutes.

In Arkansas’ third straight setback, the Aggies’ pass rush harassed Jefferson and sacked him seven times for 41 yards.

“Everybody being on the same page: O-line, tight ends, running back, including myself to be able to transfer protection or know where the pressure is coming from,” Jefferson said of his squad’s needs. “Make sure everyone is on the same page. That’s what it boils down to, just communication up front.”

The Razorbacks defeated Ole Miss 42-27 last season at home as Sanders had career highs in rushing yards (232) and TDs (three).

–Field Level Media

Sep 9, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin looks on against the Tulane Green Wave during the first half at Yulman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

No. 13 LSU, No. 20 Ole Miss face off in search of statement win

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No. 13 LSU is looking for improvement from its defense.

No. 20 Ole Miss is looking for improvement from its offense.

The Tigers (3-1, 2-0) and the Rebels (3-1, 0-1) will try to find the improvement they seek in an SEC game Saturday night in Oxford, Miss.

LSU has bounced back from a season-opening loss to Florida State with three straight victories, including back-to-back conference wins in the last two weekends. But in their most recent contest, the Tigers barely escaped with a 34-31 home victory over Arkansas last Saturday when Damian Ramos kicked a 20-yard field goal with five seconds remaining.

The Tigers couldn’t shake the Razorbacks, who scored 17 points on three second-half possessions before KJ Jefferson was intercepted on a desperation heave on the final play of the game.

“We have to do ordinary things extraordinarily well,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said of his defense. “We’re having a tendency of trying to chase too many plays on defense. We’re trying to make plays that are really not our plays to make and we just need to do our job. I think once we settle down, this can be a really good defense.”

The defense has a pretty good-sized margin for error thanks to the Tigers’ passing game — and more specifically quarterback Jayden Daniels, the SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week each of the last two weeks.

Daniels shared the honor two weeks ago with teammate Malik Nabers, who caught 13 of his passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns against Mississippi State. Nabers had two more touchdowns and 130 yards against Arkansas and Brian Thomas Jr. added two touchdowns and 133 yards.

“Nabers is getting a lot of attention (from defenses),” Kelly said. “You’ve got to be able to find other one-on-one matchups and Brian is capable of winning those matchups.”

Daniels had 320 yards with four touchdowns and one interception against the Razorbacks, a week after throwing for 361 yards and a pair of scores — along with running for two more TDs — against the Bulldogs.

Ole Miss’ offense was doing just fine as well, averaging more than 50 points per game through three nonconference games. But the Rebels struggled in a 24-10 loss at Alabama in their SEC opener last Saturday.

“We’ve got to get better,” Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin said of the offense, which had just 56 rushing yards among its 301 total yards against the Crimson Tide. “Got to coach better, involve different schemes, different things. Sometimes the running game is interesting. You’ll have these games, and then all of a sudden they’ll pop and you’ll have a bunch of explosive runs.

“We’ve just got to all go to work and figure out a way. It’s not like we’re a program that hasn’t ever ran the ball or hasn’t known how to run the ball. It would be really good to get back to that.”

The Rebels were 7-0 and ranked No. 7 in the country last season when LSU beat them 45-20 in Baton Rouge, La. Ole Miss went on to finish 8-5 while the Tigers won the SEC West.

Two years ago, Ole Miss rebounded from a 42-21 loss to Alabama to go to the Sugar Bowl.

“We’ve been in this situation,” Kiffin said. “Happened to be in the same situation two years ago. Went 3-0, went into Alabama and actually played a lot worse, ended up coming back from that game and going 10-2. Got a lot of football in front of us, and a huge one this week against, I would argue, maybe the hottest offense in the country.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 9, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Tre Harris (9) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Tulane Green Wave during the first half at Yulman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Ole Miss WR Tre Harris out, RB Quinshon Judkins doubtful

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No. 17 Ole Miss will be without injured wide receiver Tre Harris while leading rusher Quinshon Judkins is doubtful for the home game Saturday night against Georgia Tech, ESPN reported.

Harris, the Rebels’ leading receiver, sustained an apparent knee injury in the victory over Tulane last week and was seen wearing a knee brace on the sideline. Ole Miss did not comment on his availability.

A transfer from Louisiana Tech, Harris scored touchdowns on his first three receptions to tie a school record and totaled four to break the single-game mark in his debut in a 73-7 rout of Mercer on Sept. 2.

The senior has eight receptions for 188 yards and five touchdowns in two games.

Judkins has an upper body injury that limited him in practice this week and he might not play, coach Lane Kiffin told ESPN.

Judkins, a sophomore, has 31 carries for 108 yards and three touchdowns, along with five receptions for 43 yards in two games.

He was voted All-Southeastern Conference first team in 2022, when he led the league in rushing yards (1,567), yards per game (120.5), rushing touchdowns (16) and total touchdowns (17).

Ole Miss already has played this season without tight end Caden Prieskorn, a transfer from Memphis, and receiver Zakhari Franklin, a transfer from UTSA, because of injuries.

–Field Level Media

Sep 9, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; During pregame of the game between the Tulane Green Wave and the Mississippi Rebels at Yulman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

No. 20 Ole Miss pulls away from No. 24 Tulane, 37-20

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Jaxson Dart threw two touchdown passes, Quinshon Judkins rushed for a touchdown and No. 20 Ole Miss held off No. 24 Tulane, 37-20, in a nonconference game Saturday in New Orleans.

Dart completed 17 of 27 passes for 267 yards and helped Ole Miss (2-0) come back from a 17-7 second-quarter deficit.

Tulane (1-1) played without starting quarterback Michael Pratt, who suffered a knee injury in a season-opening win against South Alabama a week earlier.

Third-year sophomore Kai Horton made his second career start in Pratt’s place and completed 15 of 37 passes for 231 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

Judkins’ 9-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter pulled Ole Miss even at 17 at the end of the period.

Deantre Prince’s interception of Horton gave the Rebels the ball at the Green Wave 20, setting up Caden Davis’ tiebreaking 27-yard field with 12:50 left in the game.

Tulane turned the ball over at the Ole Miss 30 when Horton’s apparent 2-yard gain on fourth-and-2 was changed to a 1-yard gain on review.

The Rebels faced a fourth-and-4 on the next possession when Dart threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Michael Trigg for a 27-17 lead with 4:28 left.

Valentino Ambrosio’s 26-yard field goal pulled the Green Wave within seven points, but Davis kicked a 56-yard FG and Jared Ivey picked up Horton’s fumble and ran 26 yards for a touchdown with 1:25 remaining.

Dart completed passes on the first three plays of the game, the last of which was a 31-yard touchdown to Tre Harris.

Tulane answered on the ensuing possession as Makhi Hughes completed a 75-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run that left the score tied at seven at the end of the first quarter.

The Green Wave took advantage of Jha’Quan Jackson’s 36-yard punt return when Ambrosio kicked a 44-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter.

Jackson caught a 41-yard touchdown pass from Horton to extend the lead to 17-7 later in the quarter.

Davis’ 37-yard field goal trimmed the lead to 17-10 at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) passes the ball during the first half against the Mercer Bears at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

No. 20 Ole Miss faces early challenge at No. 24 Tulane

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The SEC hasn’t decided whether to expand its league schedule from eight games to nine beyond next season.

But as far as Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin is concerned, the Rebels have the equivalent of a nine-game SEC schedule this season.

The No. 20 Rebels (1-0) will face No. 24 Tulane (1-0) in a non-conference game Saturday afternoon in New Orleans.

“This is really a test of a nine-game SEC schedule,” Kiffin said, “because this is an SEC football team with that type of talent.

“They were able to beat the Heisman Trophy winner a few games ago. Going on the road is always challenging, especially with a new team. We’ll have our hands full.”

Ole Miss began the season with a 73-7 romp against outmanned Mercer last Saturday. Incumbent starter Jaxson Dart, who battled Oklahoma State transfer Spencer Sanders and LSU transfer Walker Howard in preseason camp, passed for 334 yards and four touchdowns before leaving in the middle of the third quarter.

That led Kiffin to officially name Dart the starter going into the game against the Green Wave.

“He had a really good camp and spring, and so he’s the starting quarterback,” Kiffin said of Dart.

Kiffin extended the quarterback competition into the first game, which he called “an evaluation game.”

“This is not an evaluation game,” Kiffin said of Tulane. “Going on the road for the first time with this team into one of the hottest teams in the country and probably the hottest quarterback in the country. I would actually like another evaluation game, but that is certainly not what this is.”

The Rebels beat the visiting Green Wave 61-21 two years ago, and Tulane went on to finish 2-10.

But last season the Green Wave finished 12-2, won the American Athletic Conference title and beat Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and Southern California 46-45 in the Cotton Bowl in January.

Tulane started this season with a 37-17 home victory last Saturday against South Alabama, which was 10-3 a year ago.

Michael Pratt, who completed all but one of his 15 passes for 294 yards and four touchdowns, was named the AAC Offensive Player of the Week. He also tied Patrick Ramsey’s school record for career touchdown passes (72).

“I’m not really worried about all the external stuff,” Pratt said. “When you prepare the way you’re supposed to prepare and you execute and do your job, those types of things come. But all I’m really worried about is helping my team win.”

The Green Wave won its final four games last season and carried the momentum from the Cotton Bowl victory and last season’s overall success into the season opener. They were ranked in the AP preseason poll for the first time this season.

“Last year is over and done with,” defensive back Lance Johnson said. “We want to write new history with this new team, and that was a big emphasis. We don’t really look at rankings. We’re not really focused on that. We just focus on every day, every rep, and if we do that, everything is going to be fine.”

–Field Level Media

Mississippi's quarterback Jaxson Dart (2), left, prepares to hand off the ball to Mississippi's running back Quinshon Judkins (4) in the Texas Bowl game against Texas Tech, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, at NRG Stadium in Houston. Syndication Lubbock Avalanche Journal

QB1 status a mystery, No. 22 Ole Miss opens with Mercer

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Lane Kiffin is taking his time announcing a starting quarterback as No. 22 Ole Miss prepares to open its season Saturday against FCS foe Mercer at home in Oxford, Miss.

The Rebels started last season 7-0 and rose to No. 7 in the country on the strength of an offense led by running back Quinshon Judkins and quarterback Jaxson Dart. But they stumbled to an 8-5 finish, including a 42-25 loss to Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl.

Judkins, who had 1,699 yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns as a freshman, is now a first-team preseason All-American. The defense returns 12 players with starting experience. The missing piece is a decision at quarterback.

Dart’s competition is transfer Spencer Sanders, a four-year starter at Oklahoma State.

“We’ve not made that final decision,” Kiffin said Monday. “We’re very excited about all the guys. As far as the starter, that’s between two people. Both guys played extremely well and made very explosive plays (in a mock game) on Saturday. Managed the offense well. We feel very confident with either of them.”

Dart threw for 2,974 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last year. Sanders has nearly 10,000 career passing yards, 67 touchdowns and multiple bowl wins to his credit.

Judkins said Kiffin has not tipped his QB1 choice, not even in the locker room.

“That’s not something he would say in a public setting, around the whole team, in a team meeting or anything like that,” Judkins said. “That’s more inside of him, offensive coordinators and quarterback coaches. There’s nothing that’s been said to us.”

Mercer (1-0) was ranked No. 20 in the STATS Perform FCS preseason poll after the Southern Conference member went 7-4 a year ago.

The Bears had a strong defensive showing last Saturday when they beat North Alabama 17-7 in the FCS Kickoff Classic in Montgomery, Ala. Mercer allowed just 12 first downs and 248 total yards.

Micah Bell led the charge on offense with 20 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown. Carter Peevy was 12-of-17 passing and completed a 14-yard touchdown to Ty James.

Mercer’s record against FBS competition in recent years includes lopsided losses at Auburn in 2022, at Alabama in 2021 and at Army in 2020.

“They played well Saturday and played very well last year,” Kiffin said of the Bears. “They play extremely hard, even if you go back to last year and years ago when they were at Alabama, how well they played on defense, early, but especially on defense and the problems they gave them … we’re going to have our hands full and prepare really well.”

Mercer coach Drew Cronic is reminding his players that fundamentals are key.

“You’ll really get exposed if you’re not fundamentally sound, doing exactly what you’re coached to do when you start playing SEC-level talent,” Cronic said. “When we go back and look at the last two years when we played Auburn and we played Alabama, when we do what we’re supposed to do we give ourselves a chance to execute plays.

“We’ll go over there and throw everything we got at ’em. You never know what’ll happen.”

–Field Level Media

Kamarion Franklin, the No. 1 recruit in Mississippi, puts on an Ole Miss hat as he announces his commitment to Ole Miss football while wearing a shirt that says Sip Made Kam Stayed with the Ole Miss logo at Lake Cormorant High School in Lake Cormorant, Miss, on Saturday, August 19, 2023.

Ole Miss lands 5-star DL Kamarion Franklin

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Defensive lineman Kamarion Franklin, a five-star recruit in the Class of 2024, announced Saturday he is staying in his home state and committed to Ole Miss.

Listed at 6-feet-5 and 265 pounds, the senior from Lake Cormorant (Miss.) High School chose Mississippi over finalists Alabama, Auburn, Miami and Tennessee among 36 offers.

“I think I’d fit in pretty good, like with the staff, the players,” Franklin told ESPN. “I got to get around them. I mean, I’m (from) Hardy, Mississippi. So I fit in pretty good with the other Mississippi people.”

Franklin is ranked No. 30 overall by 247Sports in the Class of 2024 and he comes in at No. 46 per the site’s composite rankings. Franklin is rated No. 8 in the nation among defensive linemen and No. 1 among all prospects in the state of Mississippi, per 247’s composite.

Rivals.com has him ranked No. 11 in the nation, while ESPN places him at No. 27.

“(There wasn’t) really a lot of stress and pressure to stay in state,” Franklin told ESPN. “You know, I did whatever (was) the best situation for me.”

As a junior in 2022, he set a team single-season record with 19 sacks, and totaled 93 tackles, including 22 for loss. In three seasons, Franklin has 150 total tackles (99 solo), including 35 1/2 for loss and 29 sacks.

Franklin took two unofficial visits to Auburn in June and July, and official visits in June to Miami and Tennessee.

–Field Level Media