From Missouri Freshman to Ole Miss Star
One year ago, Kewan Lacy ended his freshman season at Missouri with only 104 rushing yards and zero touchdowns, prompting him to enter the transfer portal. A former four-star recruit from Dallas, Texas, he chose Ole Miss partly due to then-head coach Lane Kiffin's high-octane offense.
In his sophomore debut for the Rebels, Lacy rushed for 108 yards and three touchdowns against Georgia State, signaling his rapid ascent. By season's end, his 258 carries produced 1,279 yards, making him the eighth Rebel with a 1,000-yard season and tying him for ninth in Ole Miss career rushing touchdowns.
Lacy's stats led the SEC in rushing attempts, all-purpose touchdowns, and points scored by a non-kicker at 120, while ranking second nationally in rushing TDs. His advanced metrics, like 86 missed tackles forced, underscore his dominance.
Historic Stats and Major Honors
Lacy's 2025 campaign is among the greatest for Ole Miss running backs, with 20 rushing touchdowns tying him for ninth in SEC single-season history—one of only 12 players to reach that mark. He broke the Rebels' single-season points record for non-kickers and had six 100-yard games.
Highlights include a career-high 224 yards and three TDs against Florida, the most by a Rebel since 2010. Nationally, he ranks ninth in rushing yards (1,279), second in TDs (20), and leads the SEC in key categories per PFF data.
Amid his success, Lacy earned the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award preseason watch list nod and other major honors, fueling Ole Miss' 11-1 record and program-best performance.
Playoff Push Amid Coaching Changes
Despite Lane Kiffin's departure and Pete Golding's promotion to head coach weeks before the playoffs, Lacy and the Rebels stayed focused, clinching their first-ever CFP bid at home against Tulane—a team they dominated 45-10 earlier.
"It’s been pretty good, I still have my coach," Lacy said of the transition, emphasizing team buy-in to Golding's philosophies. Speculation about Lacy following Kiffin swirls, but he remains locked in: "I’ve just been keeping my mindset on trying to go 1-0."
With a 93 rating in EA Sports College Football 26, Lacy embodies resilience, turning challenges into a Cinderella story for the Rebels as they chase playoff glory on December 20, 2025.