Did Florida dodge a bullet when Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU?

In the aftermath of the stunning finish that propelled Ole Miss past Georgia and into the College Football Playoff semifinals, are you overwhelmed by a feeling that the University of Florida might have very well dodged a 30.06 bullet with the name Lane Kiffin engraved on it?

As Ole Miss sent shockwaves by putting an end to Georgia’s season, Kiffin was enjoying himself at the Pete Maravich Center where Kentucky was springing an upset on 5^th-ranked LSU. In the aftermath of Ole Miss 39, Georgia 34, Lane sent out weak congratulations to his former team. The lack of enthusiasm lent a strong measure of insincerity to the gesture.

Since then, Kiffin has been bombarded with thousands of tweets, texts and message board offerings that the kindest center around the words low class, no class and total buffoon. All of them seem to fit.

Even if Ole Miss doesn’t survive Miami in Thursday night’s CFP semis, the Rebels led by Pete Golding come off a winner while Kiffin comes off as an opportunist who will always have one eye open for the next hillside where the grass seems greener. For five-plus years Lane had us fooled into thinking he had grown up, but this latest fiasco scraps that idea completely. It’s not so much that Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss for another job. It’s the way he went about it, stringing along Ole Miss, Florida and LSU until he had backed everyone into a corner while making it all about himself.

Florida, meanwhile, tired of Kiffin’s antics and moved on to Jon Sumrall. Tulane knew that Sumrall would be leaving for more money and more of everything than they could possibly provide, but everything was handled with such class and dignity that there was little, if any, hard feelings between coach, players and school. At Ole Miss, meanwhile, it is scorched earth.

Now, Lane Kiffin is an outstanding football coach. There will be no shortage of high expectations in Baton Rouge and throughout the state of Louisiana, but patience is rather thin among the LSU faithful. Brian Kelly arrived from Notre Dame in 2020 with equally high expectations and he didn’t survive despite winning 34 games in three-plus seasons. He got a 10-year, $100 million deal and they were willing to pay him $54 million to go away. Kiffin has a 7-year deal worth $91 million plus incentives. Who’s to say they will give him more leeway than they gave Brian Kelly if he doesn’t deliver a national championship in a hurry?

And who’s to say that if Alabama comes open and dangles an opportunity under Lane’s nose that he won’t abandon LSU the same way he left Tennessee for Southern Cal after the 2009 season or Ole Miss DURING the 2025 season?

There are no guarantees that Jon Sumrall is the answer at Florida, but at least he arrives with his integrity and reputation intact. He's won championships three of the four years he's been a head coach and at both Troy and Tulane he leaves with folks raving about him as both a coach and a person. The same can't be said about Lane Kiffin, who has a trail of burned bridges in his wake.

And for that, we can be thankful.

GATORS ADD TRANSFER SAFETY, TIGHT END, CENTER

Jon Sumrall scored his first three commitments from the transfer portal, landing Baylor safety DJ Coleman, James Madison tight end Lacote Dippre and Georgia Tech starting center Harrison Moore. Coleman is considered one of the five best safeties in the portal after a year in which he was in on 46 tackles and picked off a couple of passes. Dippre caught 17 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns, plus ran four times for 49 yards and another TD. Moore, who missed two full games and part of two others due to injury, started nine games for Georgia Tech as a sophomore in 2025. He played in 10 games in 2024 as a tight end before making the transition to center.

Today, all eyes of the Gator Nation remain on running back Jadan Baugh, who still hasn’t declared he’s staying or entering the portal. Over the weekend, the Gators lost defensive tackle Jeramiah McCloud, placekicker Evan Noel, punter Hayden Craig and long snapper Max Mulhern to the portal. Corner Shariff Denson committed to Ole Miss and tight end Hayden Hansen committed to Oklahoma.

The unofficial scholarship roster counts as of Monday morning:

CURRENT ROSTER (40)

QUARTERBACK (1): Tramell Jones Jr. (6-0, 203, FR)

RUNNING BACKS (3): Duke Clark (6-1, 211, FR); Byron Louis (6-0, 211, FR); Jadan Baugh (6-1, 231, SO)

WIDE RECEIVERS (3): Vernell Brown III (5-11, 178, FR); Dallas Wilson (6-3, 213, FR); TJ Abrams (5-10, 196, RFR)

TIGHT END: (4) Amir Jackson (6-5, 235, RFR); Micah Jones (6-4, 257, FR); Tony Livingston (6-5, 264, RSO); Lacote Dippre (6-4, 253, SO, from James Madison)

O-LINE (9): OT Fletcher Westphal (6-8, 342, RFR); OT Caden Jones (6-8, 333, RSO); OT/OG Bryce Lovett (6-5, 321, RSO); OG Knijeah Harris (6-3, 313, JR); OG/C Roderick Kearney (6-4, 310, RSO); OG Jason Zandamela (6-3, 308, RFR); OT Jahari Medlock (6-5, 321, FR); OG TJ Dice Jr. (6-4, 304, FR); OG Daniel Pierre Louis (6-4, 332, FR); C Harrison Moore (6-5, 300, SO, from Georgia Tech)

D-LINE/EDGE (6): EDGE LJ McCray (6-6, 268, SO); EDGE Kamran James (6-6, 270, JR); DL Joseph Mbatchou (6-5, 300, FR); EDGE Kofi Asare (6-5, 251, RJR); EDGE Jaylen Wiggins (6-5, 268, FR); Brendan Bett (6-5, 308, RSO)

LINEBACKERS (5): Jaden Robinson (6-1, 226, JR); Myles Graham (6-1, 228, SO); Aaron Chiles (6-3, 244, SO); Ty Jackson (6-2, 221, FR); Myles Johnson (6-1, 224, FR)

SECONDARY (9): S Drake Stubbs (6-1, 207, FR); CB Cormani McClain (6-2, 189, RSO); S Bryce Thornton (5-10, 211, JR); S Lagonza Hayward (6-1, 206, FR); CB J’Vari Flowers (5-10, 187, FR); Dijon Johnson (6-1, 204, JR); CB Onis Konanbanny (6-0, 184, FR);  Ben Hanks III (6-1, 192, FR); S DJ Coleman (6-1, 210, JR, from Baylor)

SIGNED FRESHMEN (18)

QUARTERBACK (1): Will Griffin (6-3, 230)

WIDE RECEIVERS (3): Davian Groce (6-2, 191); Justin Williams (5-11, 187); Marquez Daniel (6-5, 205)

TIGHT END (1): Heze Kent (6-6, 305)

O-LINE (6): Tyler Chukuyem (6-6, 285); Chancellor Campbell (6-8, 307); G’nivre Carr (6-4, 309); Desmond Green (6-5, 343); Javarii Luckas (6-6, 318); Corey Brown (6-1, 280)

D-LINE/EDGE (3): DL Kendall Guervil (6-2, 323); DL JaReylan McCoy (6-7, 260); EDGE KJ Ford (6-4, 246)

LINEBACKER (1): Malik Morris (6-0, 250)

SECONDARY (3): CJ Hester (6-0, 186); Kaiden Hall (6-2, 192); CJ Bronaugh (6-0, 172); Dylan Purter (6-0, 185)

GONERS (28)

QB (1): DJ Lagway

RB (3): KD Daniels; Treyaun Webb; Chad Gaspar Jr.; Ja’Kobi Jackson

WR (5): Eugene Wilson III; Tank Hawkins; Aidan Mizell; Muizz Tounkara; Naushaun Montgomery

TE (2): Hayden Hansen (to Oklahoma); Cameron Kossman

OL (3): OT Marcus Mascoll; OT Enoch Wangoy; OT Devon Manuel; OT Noel Portnjagin

DL/EDGE (4): DL Tavorise Brown; EDGE Jayden Woods; DL Michai Boireau; DL Jeramiah McCloud

LB (1): Grayson Howard

S/CB (6): S Jordan Castell; S Josiah Davis; CB Jameer Grimsley; S Teddy Foster; CB Aaron Gates; CB Shariff Denson (to Ole Miss)

ST (3): P Hayden Craig; PK Evan Noel; LS Mack Mulhern

THE REST OF THE SEC

Alabama: WR Aeryn Hampton; TE Josh Ford (from Oklahoma State); S Kameron Howard; OG Roq Montgomery; RB Richard Young; WR Jalen Hale; WR Jaylen Mbakwe (to Ole Miss); OT Olaus Alinen; EDGE Noah Carter; PK Peter Notaro; OG Micah DeBose; WR Cole Adams; WR Rico Scott; EDGE Keon Keeley; CB Cameron Calhoun; OL Wilkin Formby

Arkansas: OT Shaq McRoy; CB Keshawn Davila (to Kansas State); LB Tavion Wallace (to Kentucky); DL Ian Geffrard (to Texas); S Miguel Mitchell; DL Kaleb James; RB AJ Green; QB Trever Jackson; LB Justin Logan; EDGE Justus Boone (to Wisconsin); S Anton Pierce; WR Andy Jean; QB Grayson Wilson; DL Kavion Henderson; EDGE Charlie Collins; OG LJ Prudhomme; WR Jace Petty; CB Selman Bridges; WR Zachary Taylor; RB Rodney Hill; DL Danny Saili; WR Krosse Johnson; S Christian Harrison (from Cincinnati); PK Braeden McAlister (from Georgia State); OT Malachi Breland (from Memphis); PK Max Gilbert (from Tennessee); WR Jamari Hawkins (from Memphis)

Auburn: CB A’mon Lane-Ganus (to South Florida); WR Horatio Fields; WR Perry Thompson; CB Raion Strader; EDGE Antonio Coleman; RB Damari Alston; LB Caleb Wheatland; TE Hollis Davidson; WR Malcolm Simmons; OG DeAndre Carter; OT Favour Edwin; WR Cam’Ron King; OT Seth Wilfred; CB Jay Crawford (to Ole Miss); DL Amaris Williams; LB Jamonta Walker; DL Malik Blocton; PK Towns McGough; QB Ashton Daniels; CB Kayin Lee; CB Donovan Staff; OT Xavier Chaplin; LB Robert Woodyard Jr.; S Kensley Faustin; WR Cam Coleman; OG Dylan Senda; QB Deuce Knight; WR Sam Turner; S Taye Seymore; QB Jackson Arnold; TE Preston Howard; DL James Ash; OT Seth Wilfred; OG Malachi Harris; QB Locklan Hewlett (from South Florida); RB Durell Robinson; WR Korey Pettigrew (from South Florida); LS Hudson Powell (from Maryland); WR Christian Neptune (from South Florida); TE Xavier Newsom (from Howard)

Georgia: TE Pearce Spurlin III; CB Daniel Harris; RB Roderick Robinson II; DL Jordan Thomas; S Jaden Thomas; LB Kris Jones; S Khalil Barnes (from Clemson)

Kentucky: EDGE Landyn Watson (to Kansas); EDGE Steven Soles; WR David Washington Jr.; WR Preston Bowman; QB Stone Saunders; OG Austin Ramsey; WR Tony Stellato; CB Nasir Addison; DL Javeon Campbell; S DJ Waller Jr. (to Louisville); EDGE Jacob Smith; DL Jerod Smith II; QB Cutter Boley (to Arizona State); RB Dante Dowdell; LB Tavion Wallace (from Arkansas); RB Jamarion Wilcox; EDGE Antonio Berry (from Gardner-Webb); S Cam Dooley; CB Hasaan Sykes (from Western Carolina); DL Ahmad Breaux (from LSU); WR Quintin Simmons; OG Coleton Price (from Baylor)

LSU: RB Ju’Juan Johnson; DL Ahmad Breaux (to Kentucky); CB Ashton Stamps; WR Jelani Watkins; WR Khylan Billiot; DL Sydir Mitchell; RB Kaleb Jackson; OG Carius Curne; QB Colin Hurley; OG Coen Echols (to Texas A&M); OG DJ Chester; OT Tyree Adams; S Javian Toviano; OT Paul Mubenga; S Austin Ausberry; LB Princeton Malbrue; S Dashawn Spears; S Joel Rogers; WR Kyle Parker; OT Ethan Calloway; RB Caden Durham; QB Michael Van Buren; RB JT Lindsey; WR Jackson Harris (from Hawaii); WR TaRon Francis; DL Zion Williams

Mississippi State: S Tony Mitchell; DL Terrance Hibblier Jr.; S Stonka Burnside; OG Brennan Smith; OT Jimothy Lewis Jr.; TE Emeka Lloh; QB Luke Kromenhoek; TE Cam Ball; CB Dwight Lewis III; S Tyler Woodard; DL Ashun Shepphard; WR Ferzell Shepard; S Lo’Kavion Jackson; WR Jaron Glover; OT Jaekwon Bouldin; OG Alex Lopez; EDGE Joseph Head Jr.; DL Corey Clark; WR Jordan Mosley; WR Markus Allen; WR Davian Jackson; RB Johnnie Daniels; WR Cam Thompson (to Northern Illinois); OT Luke Work; WR Marquis Johnson (from Missouri); RB Seth Davis

Missouri: RB Marquise Davis; RB Brendon Haygood; WR James Madison II; S Caleb Flagg; WR Josh Manning; EDGE Javion Hilson; WR Marquis Johnson (to Mississippi State); OG Henry Fenuku; QB Beau Pribula; PK Robert Meyer; OT Johnny Williams IV; OT Brandon Solis; OT Jayven Richardson; S CJ Bass III; RB Tavorous Jones; CB Mark Manfred III; OT Jaylen Early; EDGE Nate Johnson; CB Shamar McNeil; OG Keiton Jones; DL Justin Bodford; WR Daniel Blood; S Marvin Burks Jr.

Oklahoma: WR Jayden Gibson (to South Carolina); CB Kendel Colby; TE Kaden Helms; LB Kobie McKenzie; OG Jacob Sexton; RB Jovonate Barnes; S Marcus Wimberly; OG Troy Everett; OT Luke Baklenko; CB Devon Jordan; WR KJ Daniels; OL Logan Howland; S Gentry Williams; CB Maliek Hawkins; QB Michael Hawkins; TE Carson Kent; DL Marcus Strong; OL Jake Taylor; RB Taylor Tatum; TE Hayden Hansen (from Florida); OG Caleb Nitta

Ole Miss: QB Austin Simmons; WR Jaylen Mbakwe (from Alabama); RB Domonique Thomas; CB Sharif Denson (from Florida); EDGE Jonathan Maldonado (from Nevada); LB Keaton Thomas (from Baylor); CB Jay Crawford (from Auburn); OG PJ Wilkins

South Carolina: PK Peyton Argent; LB Jaron Willis; WR Emazon Littlejohn; DL Zavion Hardy; LB Jaron Willis; OT Mac Walters; OG Trovon Baugh; OT Cason Henry; WR Brian Rowe Jr.; QB Air Noland; OT Tree Babalade; EDGE Taeshawn Alston; DL Chase Kibble; OG Nick Sharpe; TE Michael Smith (to Syracuse); CB Myles Norwood; OG Rodney Newsom; OG Boaz Stanley; WR Vandrevious Jacobs; OT Josiah Thompson; EDGE Taeshon Alston; OT Campbell Vandiver; WR Jayden Gibson (from Oklahoma)

Tennessee: EDGE Kellen Lindstrom; DL Jamal Wallace; S Boo Carter; LB Brenden Anes; S Macus Goree Jr.; QB Jake Merklinger; RB Peyton Lewis; OT Trevor Duncan; DL Herb Gray; OG Max Anderson; WR Tommy Winton; OT Lance Heard; OT Bennett Warren (to Minnesota); CB Rickey Gibson; EDGE Amari Jefferson; EDGE Caleb Herring; PK Max Gilbert (to Arkansas); EDGE Emmanuel Okoye; EDGE Jayden Loften; S Qua Moss (from Kansas State); OG William Satterwhite; TE Richie Anderson (from Fresno State)

Texas: OG Connor Stroh (to Kansas); CB Santana Wilson; WR Aaron Butler; RB CJ Baxter; QB Trey Owens; PK Will Stone; RB Jerrick Gibson (to Purdue); S Derek Williams Jr.; CB Wardell Mack; DL Melvin Hills; LB Liona Lefau; RB Rickey Stewart Jr.; WR DeAndre Moore Jr.; RB Quintrevion Wisner; WR Parker Livingstone; DL Lavon Johnson; OG Neto Umeozulu; PK Will Stone; OG Nate Kibble; DL Ian Geffrard (from Arkansas); CB Caleb Chester (to Arizona State); OT Wes King (from Wyoming); P Mac Chiumento (from Florida State); PK Gianni Spetic (from Memphis)

Texas A&M: LS Shea Freibaum; LB Tristan Jernigan; CB Jayvon Thomas; S Jordan Pride; EDGE Solomon Williams (to California); EDGE Rylan Kennedy; TE Theo Melin Ohrstrom; S Bryce Anderson; QB Miles O’Neill; CB Cobey Sellers; TE Houston Thomas (from UT-San Antonio); OG Coen Echols (from LSU); S Tawfiq Byard (from Colorado); LB Ray Coney (from Tulsa); P Truette Tumey; PK David Olano (from Illinois); WR Izaiah Williams (to Kansas State)

Vanderbilt: QB Drew Dickey (to Arkansas State); TE Maurice Veney; OT Misael Sandoval; QB Jeremy St. Hilaire; OG Cooper Starks; TE Witt Edwards; WR Boski Barrett; EDGE Jailen Ruth; WR Jeremiah Dillon; WR Chance Fitzgerald; DL Linus Zunk; WR Tre Richardson; TE Jayvontay Conner (from East Carolina)