Kewan Lacy Commits to Stay at Ole Miss

Summary:

• Star running back Kewan Lacy has agreed to go back to Ole Miss Rebels for the 2026 season despite major interest elsewhere.
• Lacy has rushed for 1,464 yards and 23 touchdowns while helping Ole Miss reach the CFP semifinals.
• Several key players also plan to return as the program enters a new era.

Ole Miss Rebels got a big piece of good news on Monday when star running back Kewan Lacy agreed to return for the 2026 season, according to sources who spoke with ESPN.

Lacy has been one of the most productive players in the country this year, sitting third nationally in rushing with 1,464 yards after he found the end zone 23 times. The impressive helped carry the Rebels all the way to the College Football Playoff semifinals in his first season in Oxford.

Keeping Lacy was especially important for Ole Miss as the program adjusts to life after Lane Kiffin, who left to take the head coaching job at LSU.

Retaining top talent has been a clear focus, and Lacy would have been a major name to watch had he decided to test the transfer portal. That possibility felt very real, particularly after running backs coach Kevin Smith followed Kiffin to Baton Rouge, where Lacy would have been a natural target for the Tigers.

Instead, the sophomore from Dallas chose continuity. After spending a year at Missouri, Kewan Lacy transferred to Ole Miss and quickly turned himself into one of the SEC’s most dangerous offensive weapons.

He topped 100 yards from scrimmage in eight different games and had his breakout moment against Florida, piling up a career best 229 total yards.

His impact has been just as clear on the biggest stage. In the Rebels’ 39-34 win over No. 3 Georgia in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl, Lacy ran for 98 yards and scored twice. Ole Miss now turns its attention to a semifinal matchup against No. 10 seed Miami at the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday.

Holding On to the Core of the Roster

Lacy’s decision is part of a broader push by new head coach Pete Golding and school officials to keep the core of the roster together. Several key starters have already committed to staying rather than exploring portal options as the season winds down.

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss added to that momentum on Monday, announcing his intention to return as well, pending NCAA approval for an extra year of eligibility.

In total, seven Ole Miss players confirmed they plan to be back next basketball season, giving the Rebels some much needed stability as they prepare for another run.