After Jaxson Dart’s departure to the NFL, questions naturally swirled around the quarterback spot at Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin’s chemistry with the player was unmatched, and together, the combo showed even the top programs of the SEC, like Georgia, that they mean business. But in Dart’s absence, many anticipated that there would be a drop in quality in the QB room, right? Well, Lane Kaffin seems determined to prevent that drop-off. He is stacking QBs like baseball cards, and his latest addition to the squad is Shawqi Itraish from the Rice Owls. His inclusion takes the tally of the QBs to 5 now and the third transfer QB, but still, Shawqi’s arrival seems optimistic depth-wise.

Shawqi, was rated a 3-star prospect in high school, and joined the Rice Owls as the 105th quarterback in the country. He was going to be mainly a second—or third-string quarterback on the team. That’s exactly how his career unfolded, since he red-shirted in his freshman year in the 2021 season and played eight games in the 2022 and 2023 seasons combined. In the two seasons, the player showed his reliability as a backup and passed for 216 yards in total. Nevertheless, his career at high school was still illustrious.

Shawqi attended Braden River High School in Florida and threw for 4,036 yards and 35 touchdowns, setting a career record. As a senior, the QB threw for 1,366 yards and 14 TDs, showing his capability. In Lane Kiffin’s offense, the QB is coming to do the same and prove himself in situations where the head coach could demand his experience. Moreover, even if the expectations would be low for him at Ole Miss, the QB still has his girlfriend, who is celebrating the move quite vocally.

Shawqi’s girlfriend Emma DeCastro commented on the post shared by the QB on Instagram, updating about the move. She commented, “absof***lutely.” Moreover, she later followed up with an Insta story and wrote, “yesssirrr.” Well, she certainly looks quite excited about the big move. She often shares stories and posts with Shawqi. Even Ole Miss head coach shared the QB’s On3’s post on his Instagram and acknowledged the deep QB room.

As for Emma, she is currently the social media manager and digital producer for Houstoun’s League One Volleyball team, having graduated in Communication from the University of South Florida. Apart from her current stint at the LOVB Houston volleyball team. She also had stints being Sports Multimedia Correspondent for USF Oracle and was also ESPN’s broadcast assistant for 5 months in Tampa, Florida. Talking about Shawqi, the move can open several possibilities for him since being in a crowded QB may not open the doors for QB1, but in terms of coaching gigs for the future? Well, SEC is the best place to be, and Lane Kiffin can certainly help him in that.

Lane Kiffin gets a major prediction on his playoff dream

Lane Kiffin’s QB room includes the red-shirt sophomore Austin Simmons, touted to be the starter, Trinidad Chambliss, the recent transfer from Ferris State, and Maealiauki Smith coming from Oklahoma State. The other two being AJ Maddox and Shawqi Itraish. So, with this level of depth in the QB room and a bolstered roster with 32 new additions from transfers, the playoff dream is now closer than ever, right?

Cole Thompson and Dave Shumate on ‘SEC Unfiltered’ discussed a similar question regarding Lane Kiffin’s playoff hopes. ” Ole Miss gets to the playoffs, I feel like they’re most dangerous team that nobody would want to face. That’s how much I like their roster. But now the other room has a ton of production, including quarterback in Austin Simmons, multiple wide receivers, more defensive line depth, really big names replaced in the defensive line, questions of the secondary,” said Thompson.

So, Ole Miss, after finishing 10-3 last season and 11-2 the season before that, is on to the playoffs if this prediction holds right. Last year, the team on the defensive side of the ball was elite and led the nation in sacks per game. Moreover, they allowed just 14 points per game and had Jaxson Dart leading that offensive production. This year, without Dart, the task would be tough for Lane Kiffin, but if Austin Simmons finally takes off, then the 2025 season would be a breakthrough.