Lane Kiffin’s decision to leave Ole Miss for LSU is already costing the Rebels, even as they sit on the brink of a CFP appearance this season. The school has already seen a decommitment from a four-star junior safety. Coincidentally, he announced right around the time Kiffin revealed his new destination, and it’s become an aftershock.

With speculations running wild, the head coach’s decision could have set the 2027 prospect’s move in motion. Still, Trae’kerrion Collins’ announcement comes with gratitude.

Four-star Ridgeland DB Trae’kerrion Collins wrote on X, “Ole Miss, I want to thank you and your staff for the opportunity to be a part of your program and for believing in me throughout the recruiting process.

After careful consideration, I’ve decided to decommit and reopen my recruitment to explore other opportunities that I feel are the best fit for my future, both academically and athletically. I truly appreciate everything you’ve done for me and wish the team success moving forward. 🫡♥️”

The Mississippi standout ranked No. 11 in the state among safeties in the 2027 class and had been committed since May 11 of his sophomore year. His early decision came from pure admiration for the Rebels. The 4-star prospect told the Clarion Ledger that Ole Miss had the talent he wanted to be around, and the Rebels’ culture hooked him early.

But the most significant pull was his idol, NFL DB Trey Amos. Amos is an Ole Miss alum, and that connection pushed Collins to commit sooner than most. Still, he has decided to look for a new program.

Although the 6-foot-2, 175-pound junior said that he wasn’t paying much attention to the Kiffin rumors, the coach’s departure still influenced his decommitment. Given the timing, it seems that losing this talent is related to AD Keith Carter’s decision. Kiffin wanted to finish the season with the Rebels, but Carter said no, and now the school’s recruiting trail is taking a hit.

Here’s Lane Kiffin’s stubborn statement, which clearly reflects that denial.

“I was hoping to complete a historic six-season run with this year’s team by leading Ole Miss through the playoffs,” wrote Kiffin. “Keith Carter denied my request to do so despite the team also asking him to allow me to keep coaching them so they could better maintain their high level of performance.”

Just like that, Ole Miss lost Collins, who remained focused on helping Ridgeland potentially win its first state championship, producing 60 tackles and 11 pass breakups this season. But the 4-star is not short on options, as he holds offers from PSU, LSU, Michigan, Mississippi State, and more.

It’s similar to James Franklin’s case at Penn State. Many players decommitted from Penn State after James Franklin was fired, with reports indicating that at least 19 recruits in the 2026 class decommitted shortly after the announcement. Although Kiffin wasn’t fired, losing a major coach dampens the program’s expectations.

Yet, after Carter’s decision not to let Kiffin coach in the CFP, who will take the reins of Ole Miss?

Post-Lane Kiffin era at Ole Miss

The Rebels are entering a new era in Oxford. While Lane Kiffin announced he was leaving for LSU, Ole Miss acted fast. The 11-1 Rebels are now turning the page on the CFB Playoff, and they need an able leader. Notably, defensive coordinator Pete Golding is the program’s 40th head coach, stepping in immediately to lead the Rebels through the CFP and beyond.

“Let’s go! No one better @CoachGolding! Excited for the next few weeks and for the future of @OleMissFB. Players and staff ready to go win a natty! #CFP,” wrote AD Keith Carter.

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Carter also released an official statement praising Golding’s leadership.

“With this development, we could not be more excited to announce Pete Golding as the next head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels. Today’s team meeting was a clear indicator of his ability to galvanize our squad. All of our players and coaches are ecstatic and ready to lock arms for a playoff run,” stated Carter.

With a new coach at the helm and a playoff run ahead, Golding’s first test will be to stop the bleeding on the recruiting trail. Yes, before it completely jeopardizes the program’s future.