With Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins, Juice Wells, Cayden Lee, Ayden Williams and finally Deion Smith, the Ole Miss Rebels No. 6 seem to be well positioned at the wide receiver position in the 2024 season.
This mix of new and experienced faces should have a massive impact on Ole Miss’ offense this fall, and one of the younger members of the room was available to the media on Monday, where he offered some insight into the position group’s mindset in mid-August.
Wide receiver Cayden Lee appeared in 10 games last season and caught five passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Although Lee doesn’t have a big personal presence on the field, he believes he and his fellow receivers could play an even bigger role in the Rebels’ offense in 2024.
“100 percent. With the guys we have in the room, he’s unstoppable,” Lee said. “You can’t double-team anybody because then he’ll just go to someone else. The passing game is definitely going to be a big part of our offense this year.”
Also on Monday, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin noted that he believes Tre Harris, last year’s best receiver, is also a candidate for player with the biggest improvement in the offseason. That’s a scary thought for opposing defenses considering Harris nearly reached the 1,000-yard mark despite being off one game with an injury.
But it’s not just Harris. Lee has noticed motivation increasing throughout the wide receiver room, including himself.
“I feel like the expectations have gone up to a new level right now just because of the guys they’ve brought into the room,” Lee said. “We have arguably the best receiver room in the country in my opinion. So you’ve got to be at your best day in and day out, you’ve got to have great workouts and keep stacking days. You’ve just got to be better every day.”
Lee started the 2023 Peach Bowl win over Penn State and caught three passes for 29 yards in his home state of Georgia. This expanded role could have motivated Lee personally, but ultimately his team is looking for a championship season.
Numerous commentators across the country share at least some of the same opinion. Ole Miss is in the conversation to compete for the SEC championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff this season, but that hasn’t changed the mood at the Manning Center.
“At the end of the day, it’s all just talk,” Lee said. “As Lane Kiffin likes to say, ‘rat poison,’ so you don’t want to put too much stock in it, but there’s definitely talk in the building. Everyone’s aspirations have just gone to a new level and our goal is ultimately a national championship, so we just have to keep working to get there.”
Lee and Ole Miss begin their season at home against the FCS Furman Paladins on August 31. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
