ARLINGTON, TX – September 18, 2026 – Ahead of Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford, one former LSU player knows both sides of the rivalry.
Jontre Kirklin played against Kiffin as an LSU Tiger. He also played quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back during his five seasons in Baton Rouge, becoming a National Champion before beginning his professional career. Now, with Kiffin leading LSU into his first game back at Ole Miss, Kirklin is firmly behind his former opponent.
“Yeah, I’ll definitely play for Lane,” Kirklin said. “I would definitely go out and get my offer to play with them.”
The famous college football rivalry known as the Magnolia Bowl features Ole Miss and LSU. The rivalry first began in 1894 when the foes met for the first time, and they began clashing yearly in the SEC in 1945. Historically, LSU has dominated the rivalry, holding an all-time record of 63-43-4 over Ole Miss, but this year’s matchup carries a different weight.
Before the College Football Playoff began last year, Kiffin, who was then the head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels, announced that he would take the head coaching job at LSU. After the news broke, the Ole Miss athletic department denied Kiffin the ability to coach the rest of the playoffs. Ole Miss made a run but ultimately fell to Miami in the semifinal round.
Now, Kiffin is heading back to Oxford, this time wearing LSU colors. There may never be a bigger return as Kiffin prepares to head back to Oxford for a top-10 Saturday night matchup. Kiffin’s Tigers are ranked seventh in the nation, while his former program is ranked eighth.
Eight players from the 2026 UFL season played their college football at LSU, while another eight played at Ole Miss. The Tigers list includes Kirklin, who played for the Houston Gamblers last season. Kirklin spent five seasons with LSU, including the 2019 National Championship season, but his path to becoming a contributor in Baton Rouge was anything but conventional.
When he arrived at LSU, Kirklin was a quarterback. He transitioned to defensive back and played 12 games during his freshman campaign. In 2018, he played both receiver and defensive back, continuing to bounce between positions before primarily appearing on the offensive side of the ball. The uncertainty eventually made him consider leaving Baton Rouge.
“I wanted to transfer. I really honestly wanted to transfer,” Kirklin said.
Instead, he stayed.
“I was just like, man, just stick it out and eventually I might get a chance to go out and start and play for real.”
That opportunity eventually came against Vanderbilt, when Kirklin scored his first touchdown. His Swiss Army knife reputation never left him. Even in his final year with the Tigers, Kirklin continued contributing in multiple ways, including throwing three touchdown passes.
Kirklin’s LSU experience prepared him for a professional career that included time with the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, as well as stops in spring football. He has since logged more than 1,400 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in the UFL.
But now, his attention is back on Baton Rouge. Kirklin remembers the Magnolia Bowl from the LSU sideline, where Ole Miss was simply another opponent standing in the Tigers’ way.
“We always called them Old Piss,” Kirklin said. “We never called them Ole Miss.”
For Kirklin, the rivalry was physical and competitive, but LSU’s biggest rivalry games during his time in Baton Rouge carried even more weight. Still, playing for LSU meant carrying a target.
“Everybody wants to beat LSU,” Kirklin said. “Everybody wants to go in and make their highlight play because they would love to see LSU on their highlights.”
Now, years after playing against Kiffin, Kirklin has a front-row view of what the former Ole Miss coach is bringing to his alma mater. He’s impressed. Kirklin pointed to Kiffin’s energy, his willingness to challenge his players and the atmosphere surrounding the program.
“They’re making football fun again,” Kirklin said. “That’s what I feel like Lane is doing.”
For someone who once knew Kiffin as the coach standing across the field, Kirklin’s view has changed considerably. Now, he’s watching him lead LSU into Oxford, and he’s rooting for him.