Fall Camp Kicks Off: Lane Kiffin Leads Rebels into First Practice with Energy and Focus
Presented by Mississippi Sports Medicine
As the sweltering Mississippi summer heat settled over Oxford, the Ole Miss Rebels hit the practice fields for the first official day of fall camp — and Head Coach Lane Kiffin set the tone early.
In what marked the unofficial start to the 2025 college football season for the Rebels, the team’s first practice was a blend of intensity, urgency, and precision. With expectations sky-high and a loaded roster returning, Kiffin wasted no time getting to work. “It’s good to be back out here,” Kiffin said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do, but I like the energy we brought today.”
The practice session, held at the Manning Center and surrounding fields, offered the first glimpse of how Kiffin plans to shape his squad leading into a pivotal year in the SEC. With new additions through the transfer portal and some key returners back on the field, the competition across several position groups was evident from the jump.
All eyes were on the quarterback position, where veteran signal-caller Jaxson Dart looked sharp during drills and 7-on-7 work. Despite new transfers pushing for time, Dart’s confidence and command of the offense stood out. Kiffin, never one to hand out early praise, noted that the quarterback room is “as competitive as it’s been since I got here,” and added, “we’ll let it play out, but I’m excited about what we’ve got.”
One noticeable shift from last season: the tempo. Practice ran at a blistering pace, with very few breaks between drills and minimal downtime. Kiffin and his staff have clearly emphasized conditioning and communication early on. “This first week is about establishing habits,” Kiffin said. “If you want to be a championship-level program, you have to practice like one.”
Defensively, new coordinator Wes Neighbors made his presence felt. Players flew to the ball, and the secondary — one of last season’s question marks — showed encouraging signs of improvement. Transfer cornerback Jabari Johnson snagged an early interception, drawing cheers from teammates and coaches alike.
Freshmen also had their moments, with early enrollee wide receiver Marcus Reed turning heads with a pair of acrobatic catches during team drills. “That kid can fly,” Kiffin said. “He’s going to be hard to keep off the field.”
Off the field, Kiffin was his usual self — a mix of dry humor and straight-shooting honesty. When asked about the pressure of another highly-anticipated season, he simply quipped: “Pressure is when you don’t have good players. We’ve got good players.”
With the first day in the books, there’s a clear sense of purpose around the program. The goals are bigger than ever, and so are the expectations. But if today’s practice was any indication, Lane Kiffin and the Rebels are locked in and ready to embrace the grind.
Fall camp continues throughout the week, with open media access scheduled for select practices. Stay tuned for full coverage, player interviews, and exclusive updates — all brought to you by Mississippi Sports Medicine.
