Knox Kiffin, the son of Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, is already carving out a name for himself under center - and college programs are taking notice. The Oxford High School sophomore quarterback announced Friday that he’s received a scholarship offer from Cal, courtesy of head coach Tosh Lupoi.
This isn’t just a name-recognition offer, either. Lupoi, who coached alongside Lane Kiffin at Alabama from 2014 to 2016 under Nick Saban, took a hands-on approach with Knox during the recruiting process.
According to the younger Kiffin, Lupoi didn’t just make a call and toss out an offer - he sat down, broke down film, pointed out strengths, and gave constructive feedback on areas to improve. That kind of attention to detail from a coach who’s worked with multiple first-round quarterbacks?
That speaks volumes.
“Some people just have conversations & give offers,” Knox wrote on X. “Coach Lupoi watched film w/ me, highlighted some strengths of mine, & then noted some things I need to improve.
He has been around many 1st round QBs. I’m blessed to receive an offer from the University of California!”
At 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, Knox Kiffin has shown plenty of promise already. Splitting snaps with junior QB Drew Dean this past season, Kiffin still managed to throw for 1,236 yards and 14 touchdowns against just two interceptions. The Oxford Chargers finished 11-2, capturing the Mississippi Class 7A, Region 2 title before falling to Tupelo in the playoffs.
Dean, for his part, finished the season with 1,414 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and three interceptions, giving Oxford a formidable one-two punch at quarterback. But even in a shared role, Kiffin’s poise, arm strength, and football IQ stood out - not just to fans in Mississippi, but now to coaches across the country.
As for what’s next, that’s still up in the air. It remains to be seen whether Kiffin will stay at Oxford for his junior season or transfer to a high school in the Baton Rouge area. Either way, his recruitment is starting to pick up steam, and the Cal offer could be the first of many.
Meanwhile, Cal is preparing for a postseason appearance of its own. After finishing the 2025 season at 7-5, the Golden Bears are set to face Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24 (8 p.m.
ET, ESPN). For Lupoi, landing a quarterback like Kiffin down the line would be a big win for the program - especially one who already shows the polish and pedigree of a next-level talent.
It’s early in the process, but Knox Kiffin is on the radar. And with offers like this starting to roll in, he’s clearly a name to watch in the Class of 2028.