As Ole Miss locks in on its College Football Playoff Quarterfinal showdown with Georgia on January 1, the program is also making strategic moves off the field-moves that could have long-term implications for how the Rebels build their roster in 2026 and beyond.
On Friday morning, Ole Miss made a pair of notable additions to its personnel department, bringing in Jai Choudhary as director of player personnel and Jake Sugarman as director of scouting. These aren’t just ordinary hires-they’re calculated moves that speak to the Rebels’ growing emphasis on talent evaluation, roster construction, and, yes, the ongoing chess match with LSU.
Let’s start with Choudhary. He’s no stranger to Oxford, having spent three seasons with Ole Miss from 2022 to 2024 before heading to LSU in 2025.
Now, he returns to a familiar program, this time with a bigger role and a sharper focus on shaping the future of the roster. His experience on both sides of the SEC West rivalry adds another layer of intrigue-he knows how LSU operates, and now he’s back in red and blue, helping Ole Miss stay competitive in one of the toughest conferences in college football.
Then there’s Sugarman, who’s making the move from UCLA but also carries LSU ties. Before heading west, he worked in Baton Rouge in LSU’s personnel and recruiting department. His addition gives the Rebels another set of eyes that’s seen how a perennial SEC powerhouse recruits and builds from the ground up.
And it’s not just Choudhary and Sugarman. These hires follow a clear pattern.
Earlier this month, Ole Miss added former LSU general manager Austin Thomas and brought in Frank Wilson-LSU’s interim head coach-as part of its 2026 staff. That’s four key staffers with LSU ties now wearing Ole Miss gear.
All of this comes, of course, after LSU made the splashy move of hiring Lane Kiffin to be its next head coach. So yes, there’s a bit of a coaching carousel feel here, but this is more than just swapping staffers. It’s a battle for institutional knowledge, recruiting strategy, and the kind of behind-the-scenes savvy that can tilt the balance in a tight SEC race.
And while fans are already circling September 19 on their calendars-when LSU heads to Oxford in what could be one of the most electric matchups of the 2026 season-Ole Miss isn’t letting that future drama distract them from the task at hand.
Right now, it’s all about Georgia. The Rebels and Bulldogs close out the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals at 8:00 p.m.
ET on New Year’s Day. That’s where the focus is.
But make no mistake-Ole Miss is playing the long game, too. These staff moves are about more than just filling roles.
They’re about building a foundation for sustained success, both in the SEC and on the national stage.