Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin might have found a new secret weapon on offense in an unexpected position group
In the Ole Miss Rebels’ 63-7 victory Saturday, transfer running back Kewan Lacy made his debut in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium a three-touchdown performance. The Missouri transfer ran for 108 yards on 16 carries – albeit against a lesser opponent – giving Lane Kiffin’s offense what it was missing in 2024.But Lacy is all of a sudden […]
In the Ole Miss Rebels’ 63-7 victory Saturday, transfer running back Kewan Lacy made his debut in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium a three-touchdown performance. The Missouri transfer ran for 108 yards on 16 carries – albeit against a lesser opponent – giving Lane Kiffin’s offense what it was missing in 2024.
But Lacy is all of a sudden much more than just a talented running back. On Tuesday, Reel Analytics posted he hit 20.5 miles per hour on his 42-yard touchdown run in the third quarter – pushing the Ole Miss lead to 32-7.
Lacy’s 20.5mph run was the fourth fastest running back time in Week 1 – behind Southern Cal’s Eli Sanders (21.9), TCU’s Kevorian Barnes (20.9), and Oregon’s Noah Whittington.
“We didn’t have that, you know a year ago.”
Kiffin gave Lacy a shout out in the post game press conference.
“It was awesome. I mean, I just tell you how it is, we didn’t have that, you know a year ago and so it’s really good to have it back,” Kiffin said. “I was looking forward to that and kind of thinking he was gonna play like that because that’s how he practices and got a unique skill set of speed and power.
“It’s great to see that a ball can break and go score and not get caught. Makes it a lot easier not to call more plays afterwards. That was great to see.”
NBC Sports’ Eric Froton highlighted Kewan Lacy’s breakout performance.
“Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy broke 13 tackles in 16 attempts (6.0 YAC!), and was a model of consistency rushing for 4-6 yards 8 times, with two of his runs going for 15+, shown here,” Froton said. “Lacy breaks three tackles and hurdles his way through the gap in the second run, worth watching.”
Last season, Henry Parrish Jr., was Ole Miss’ leading rusher. He ran for 678 yards and 10 touchdowns – averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Jaxson Dart was the second leading rusher (495 yards) and Ulysses Bentley IV chipped in 419 yards and five touchdowns but was hurt most of the year.
Obviously a year ago, Dart was a more willing runner for the Ole Miss offense but this year’s offense is very different. Kiffin and the Ole Miss staff would prefer new quarterback Austin Simmons not run as much. So, Lacy’s emergence is welcomed and fans are hoping it continues this weekend against Kentucky and beyond.
Kewan Lacy was desperately wanted by the Ole Miss staff out of high school.
He initially chose the Tigers over Ole Miss and Alabama out of Lancaster (Tex.) in the 2024 cycle. He was the No. 258 overall prospect and No. 18 running back in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average which utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 44 player in Texas.
Back when Ole Miss was surging for his signature, he spoke about why he likes Ole Miss with On3.
“I like really like the family environment and the feel I get from them. It’s more than football; it’s a family aspect,” Lacy said. “Coach Kiffin is a good offensive mind and he knows how to use a lot of weapons in their system. I’d be a great fit in their system and Coach Smith is a great coach. He’s different from the rest — the way he coaches — and I’ve been to a lot of schools and some coaches just coach differently.”
Ole Miss needed a bigger running back in 2025. Kewan Lacy packs a punch.
The scouting and rankings department likens his game to former Southern Cal running back Ronald Jones II. Over the course of his NFL career, Jones’ impressive talent has been on display. Rivals’ Charles Power thinks Lacy has a similar game and skill set.
“Kewan Lacy’s build, play speed and long stride in the open field remind us of Ronald Jones II,” Power said. “Big-play back with an effortless stride in the open field. Measured in at 5-foot-10.5 and around 195 pounds prior to his senior season.
“Has room to continue adding mass. Displayed outstanding top-end speed in track and field as a junior, running a personal best of 10.79 seconds in the 100 meters,” Power said. “Carried that speed over to the Friday nights, where he had a breakout senior season, leading his team on a playoff run. Showed the ability to rip off high-level runs. Gets downhill quickly and uses his top-end speed to pull away once at the second level.”
“Leaves defensive backs in dust once in a footrace. Shows a strong leg drive. Fights for yardage after contact and shows the ability to run through arm tackles once he has a head of speed,” Power said. “Also a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield, even splitting out as a wide receiver at times. Saw an expanded number of carries as a senior. Still relatively early in his development and will need to continue improving his vision, pad level and cutting ability to maximize yardage.
“A home-run hitter who could hit more doubles with further development. Young for the cycle with a July birthday,” Power said. “Won’t turn 18 years-old until the summer prior to his freshman season.”