The Rebels added proven production and young talent, but their running back rotation remains undefined.
Kewan Lacy carried the ball a program-record 306 times last season. Ole Miss spent the offseason making sure its All-American would not have to handle that kind of workload alone again.
Lacy rushed for 1,567 yards and a school-record 24 touchdowns, establishing himself as the centerpiece of the Rebels’ offense. His role will not change, but the rotation behind him should.
Lacy likes what Ole Miss added to the running back room. He said the group has brought more explosiveness and gives the offense several exciting options.
Southern Utah transfer Joshua Dye is the most proven addition. Dye rushed for 1,831 yards and 28 touchdowns last season, showing he can produce while handling a significant workload.
Shekai Mills-Knight returns as another option, while freshman Damarius Yates joins the room after rushing for 2,080 yards and 30 touchdowns during his senior season.
Ole Miss does not need to divide the carries evenly. It needs the offense to remain productive when Lacy leaves the field, and Dye is the most proven candidate to provide that support.
The Rebels have not publicly defined the rotation. How early the supporting backs enter—and what situations they are trusted to handle—will show whether Ole Miss has developed dependable depth.
That makes Sunday’s opener against Louisville an important first test. Carries after the outcome is decided will reveal little about how Ole Miss intends to manage its backfield during close games.
A deeper rotation would also help quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. Lacy said Chambliss has made noticeable progress as a leader after spending the spring, summer and fall camp as the established starter.
“I feel like our bond just keeps getting better and better,” Lacy said.
Lacy expects Louisville’s defense to play physically and competitively, creating an immediate challenge for the entire backfield.
Lacy will remain the centerpiece against Louisville. The number worth watching is how many meaningful touches Ole Miss gives Dye, Mills-Knight and Yates before the game is decided.
