Why Ole Miss star Kewan Lacy said he isn't following RB coach Kevin Smith to LSU
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
GLENDALE, AZ − Ole Miss football running back Kewan Lacy confirmed he would be staying with the Rebels for next season on Jan. 6.
It’s great news for coach Pete Golding and the Rebels (13-1) heading into the Fiesta Bowl against No. 10 Miami (12-2) in the CFP semifinals on Jan. 8 (6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN) at State Farm Stadium. If the Rebels win, they’ll play Indiana or Oregon in the national championship in Miami on Jan. 19.
Lacy, who is No. 3 nationally with 1,464 rushing yards, would have been a hot commodity if he entered he transfer portal.
He has a single-season school-record of 23 rushing touchdowns. He explained why he stayed in Oxford at Fiesta Bowl media day.
“Really just everything we’ve built here this past year,” Lacy said. “What Pete Golding has planned for us, I feel like it’s moving in the right direction.”
Lacy, a sophomore, transferred in from Missouri before the season. Staying for the 2026 season required breaking away from former Ole Miss football running backs coach Kevin Smith, who is following coach Lane Kiffin to LSU.
“It was definitely tough,” Lacy said. “Me and him have a strong relationship. It was hard to see him go, but I wish him the best and I wish LSU the best.”
Lacy said he has started developing a new relationship with Frank Wilson, who is the incoming running backs coach for the Rebels.
“It’s been good,” Lacy said. “We’ve just been trying to get to know each other and build that bond.”
Defensive lineman Will Echoles complimented Golding, the former defensive coordinator, for retaining players on offense.
Lacy’s commitment came after quarterback Trinidad Chambliss confirmed he would return to Ole Miss for 2026 if he gets a favorable ruling on his pending waiver with the NCAA for another season.
“It shows you what kind of recruiter PG is,” Echoles said. “He’s a very nice guy. We’ve bought in to what he’s told us.”
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why Kewan Lacy will return to Ole Miss in 2026, not transfer to LSU
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos