When Lane Kiffin took over as head coach at Ole Miss, there were high expectations for his ability to recruit elite talent. Now, with the signing period for the 2025 class officially in the books, it’s time to take a hard look at where Ole Miss stands — and whether the hype surrounding this class is justified or a case of inflated expectations.

The Recruiting Rankings: A Top 15 Finish, but Where’s the Substance?

The 2025 Ole Miss recruiting class ranks 15th nationally, according to 247Sports, a respectable number for most programs, but for Ole Miss, it feels somewhat underwhelming considering the resources at Kiffin’s disposal. While the class features several standout recruits, it’s hard to ignore the glaring gaps that still need to be addressed. In short, Ole Miss’ 2025 class might be a solid top 20 group, but a Top 10 class? It’s questionable.

Let’s take a closer look:

• Caleb Cunningham, WR (5-star): Kiffin landed one of the nation’s top wide receivers in Cunningham, a Mississippi native who had previously committed to Alabama. His decision to flip to Ole Miss was a huge win, and he’s expected to be an immediate star. But, let’s be honest: landing one five-star recruit shouldn’t be enough to claim this class is elite. The best teams are filling their classes with multiple 5-star talents. Ole Miss is nowhere near that level.
• Shekai Mills-Knight, RB (4-star): Mills-Knight, a big, bruising back from Tennessee, brings depth to the running back room. While he’s a solid pickup, he’s not the game-changer that some fans might expect from a program aiming to compete at the highest level.
• Ladarian Clardy, DB (4-star): Clardy’s versatility is a plus, but again, the lack of elite defensive playmakers in this class is troubling. A few solid players can help, but are they enough to elevate Ole Miss into SEC contention in the near future?

The Offensive Line Conundrum

One of the most glaring issues with Kiffin’s 2025 class is the lack of talent on the offensive line. Every SEC program, especially one hoping to compete in the upper tier, must have a dominating offensive line. Yet, Ole Miss’ class has almost no standout offensive linemen. In a conference where games are won and lost in the trenches, how can Ole Miss expect to compete with teams like Georgia, Alabama, and LSU if they don’t have a strong offensive line to match?

This is a serious concern, and it’s hard to see how Kiffin’s high-flying offense will succeed long-term without more attention to the line.

The Transfer Portal: A Short-Term Fix or Long-Term Solution?

Kiffin has shown an affinity for using the transfer portal to quickly fill holes, but that’s not a sustainable long-term strategy for building a championship contender. While the Rebels have made some moves in the portal, it’s becoming increasingly clear that a reliance on transfers leaves the program vulnerable. If the transfer market dries up or becomes less favorable, Kiffin could find himself in a tough spot.

A solid recruiting class should provide foundational depth, something that’s harder to achieve when you’re relying too much on one-year solutions from the portal.

Conclusion: An Overhyped Class?

Lane Kiffin’s 2025 Ole Miss recruiting class has been lauded by many, but after taking a step back and assessing the situation, it’s clear that this class is more hype than substance. While Cunningham and Mills-Knight are strong individual additions, the overall balance of this class raises serious questions. The lack of focus on the offensive line and the heavy reliance on the transfer portal leaves this class looking more like a patchwork effort than a well-rounded, future-proof recruiting haul.

Ole Miss is improving, no doubt, but whether this class truly represents the rise of the program or if it’s just a temporary bump remains to be seen. Until Kiffin can recruit at the highest levels consistently, it’s hard to see Ole Miss pushing into the elite ranks of the SEC — no matter how many five-stars they sign.