Lane Kiffin Has A New Approach To Recruiting Players In The Portal

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin knows what to go after in the transfer portal, searching for help as another season rapidly approaches.

Basically, Kiffin could fill as many as three roster spots before the fall, and he's now taking the approach that immediate help can take him where he wants to go more quickly than, say, a bunch of freshmen.

"I wouldn't necessarily say certain positions (is what we're going after)," Kiffin told reporters. "I think it's kind of more like best available player. You just have no idea what's going to come into (the portal). It used to be just grad transfers, so it had to be a position of need.

"Now, with a one-time transfer (option), they may have four years of eligibility. It's not positions anymore to me. It's more, 'Hey, you may have a deep position, but you may have a young player (in the portal), so you take him.'"

Basically, Kiffin isn't using the portal just to fill a need. He wants the best talent, even if he already has talent at that position. Then things can sort themselves out in practice.

The Rebels finished last season 5-5 overall, 4-5 in the SEC -- their first year under Kiffin. They handed Indiana a loss in the Outback Bowl.

Ole Miss opens the 2021 season Mon., Sept. 6 vs. Louisville at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta. You can check out their full slate here.