Kewan Lacy’s Return Is the Biggest Win of Ole Miss’ Offseason - and He’s Not Done Yet
January’s been a whirlwind for Ole Miss football. The Rebels capped off a playoff run with a semifinal exit and then watched their head coach of six seasons head to LSU. But amid all the change, Ole Miss secured what might be its most important win of the winter - keeping Kewan Lacy in Oxford for another season.
The star running back isn’t just coming back - he’s doing so with a well-earned raise and a growing legacy that could soon be etched into Rebel history.
Lacy Stays Put - And Ole Miss Breathes Easy
When Lane Kiffin left for Baton Rouge, the dominoes started to wobble. There was real concern that Lacy, along with others, might follow him to LSU. That fear only intensified when a video surfaced of Kiffin confidently predicting both Lacy and running backs coach Kevin Smith would join him with the Tigers.
Well, LSU went one-for-two. Smith made the move.
Lacy didn’t. And Ole Miss believes it held onto the more valuable piece - hard to argue when you look at what the 19-year-old has already done.
A Record-Setting Sophomore Season
Lacy didn’t just break out in 2025 - he exploded. After a quiet freshman year at Missouri where he logged just 23 carries, Lacy transferred to Ole Miss and immediately became the engine of the offense. He rushed for 1,567 yards and 24 touchdowns, tying the school’s single-season rushing record and setting a new mark for touchdowns on the ground.
His usage was heavy, and he delivered every time. There were eight games where he logged at least 22 touches, including a monster outing against Florida: 33 touches, 229 total yards, and three scores. That kind of workload is rare in today’s game, but Lacy handled it like a seasoned pro.
Even when he got banged up late in the year - a shoulder injury in the College Football Playoff opener against Tulane - he didn’t slow down. Playing with a shoulder brace, Lacy still managed at least 85 rushing yards in every playoff game and got stronger as the Rebels advanced. That’s the kind of toughness that wins locker rooms and earns NFL scouts’ attention.
Climbing the Record Books
So where does Lacy stand in Rebel history? With 1,567 career rushing yards, he already ranks 17th all-time at Ole Miss - and he’s just getting started.
Here’s what’s in front of him:
- 2,000 yards: Just over 400 yards away. Only eight Rebel backs have ever hit that mark.
- 3,060 yards: The career rushing record, held by Deuce McAllister. Lacy would need 1,493 yards in 2026 to surpass it.
That’s a tall ask, but not out of reach - especially if he stays healthy and keeps getting the rock. That said, the Rebels did add some depth behind him this offseason, bringing in five new backs (three transfers, two freshmen). New offensive coordinator Frank Wilson could opt for a more balanced approach than last year, when Lacy had 273 more carries than RB2 Logan Diggs.
Still, when you have a back like Lacy, you feed him.
Touchdown Machine
Lacy’s 24 rushing touchdowns already place him fifth in school history. He’s just 14 scores away from tying McAllister’s all-time mark of 37. With another full season, 13 or more touchdowns is well within reach - especially for a back who’s not just a red-zone threat but a home-run hitter.
And speaking of big plays, Lacy answered one of the final questions about his game in 2025: breakaway speed. He ripped off touchdown runs of 54, 59, and 73 yards, the last of which came against a stout Miami defense in the Fiesta Bowl. That 73-yarder was a career-long, and it showed that Lacy isn’t just a bruiser - he’s a game-breaker.
The NFL Is Watching - But So Is Oxford
If Lacy had been draft-eligible this year, he’d have been one of the top backs on the board. That’s not up for debate. Instead, he returns for what’s expected to be his final college season, with eyes on the 2027 NFL Draft - and likely a first- or second-round grade if he keeps this trajectory.
But before Sundays come calling, there’s unfinished business in Oxford. Lacy’s got a shot to leave as the most productive back in school history.
He’s already one of the most dynamic. And if he puts together another season like the one we just saw, conversations about retiring his jersey number - joining the likes of Chucky Mullins and Archie Manning in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium’s rafters - won’t sound so far-fetched.
It’s still early. But Ole Miss fans have every reason to be excited. Kewan Lacy is back - and he’s not done rewriting the record books.