Lane Kiffin announces top JUCO WR will not play for Ole Miss in 2024
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Lane Kiffin had unfortunate news to pass along on Wednesday: Deion Smith will not be a member of the Ole Miss football team in 2024.
“Today, I was told he will not be part of our program,” Kiffin told reporters on the SEC coaches teleconference. “So, wish him the best of luck. Wish it would have worked out.”
Smith was seen as a big get for the Rebels. He announced his plans to continue his career at Ole Miss back in December.
Out of Holmes Community College in Mississippi, Smith was rated the No. 1 overall JUCO transfer by the 247Sports Composite. In 8 games last season, Smith logged 48 catches for 1,063 yards and 12 touchdowns for Holmes, an impressive average of 22.1 yards per reception. Auburn, Mississippi State and Utah were among the other programs to show interest in adding him as a transfer.
Kiffin did not go into detail about Smith’s status. There is a reported academic issue.
We have another confirmation that Deion Smith was denied eligibility related to his summer classes at Mid American Christian. He won’t suit up for #OleMiss this fall. https://t.co/j66M5rMAGy https://t.co/toLQkaLwNH
— Chase Parham (@ChaseParham) August 28, 2024
A former Jackson (Mississippi) Academy stand out in the 2021 recruiting class, Smith began his college journey at LSU. In 2021, Smith played in 6 games for the Tigers, including 3 starts, logging 11 catches for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Smith was expected to be part of a loaded wide receiver room that includes Tre Harris, Juice Wells and Jordan Watkins. Harris led Rebel receivers in 2023 with 54 catches for 985 yards and 8 touchdowns. Watkins contributed 53 receptions for 741 yards and 3 scores. At South Carolina, Wells made just 3 appearances last season. He had a stellar 2022, recording 68 catches for 928 yards and 6 TDs.
Ole Miss enters the 2024 campaign with an over/under of 9.5 regular-season wins at DraftKings Sportsbook. The Rebels begin Year 5 of Kiffin’s tenure against Furman on Saturday.
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Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
