Lane Kiffin snatched a 4-star RB from Ole Miss — and the timing makes it even sweeter

Lane Kiffin didn’t just leave Ole Miss. He left in a way that burned bridges, angered fans, and turned a postseason run into a bitter footnote. Now, months after that messy exit, he’s landed a recruit who could make the Rebels regret letting him go even more.

Trey Martin, a four-star running back from Winnsboro, Louisiana, announced his commitment to LSU on Monday. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound back chose the Tigers over Ole Miss and Florida, according to a report from Hayes Fawcett of On3 Sports and Rivals.

Martin is part of the 2027 recruiting cycle and is rated as a four-star prospect by multiple scouting services. He’s also, crucially, a Louisiana kid — and he made it clear where his loyalty lies.

“The best in the boot stays inna boot,” Martin told Fawcett.

For Kiffin, that quote has to hit a little harder. He left Ole Miss in December, just before the Rebels’ College Football Playoff run, to take the LSU job after Brian Kelly was fired. Ole Miss reportedly wanted him to stay through the playoff, but the school ultimately told him no — and the relationship has been icy ever since.

Why this commitment matters beyond the rankings

This isn’t just about adding a talented back to the roster. It’s about Kiffin proving he can still recruit against the program he walked out on. Ole Miss fans have spent months venting their frustration, and social media has been a battleground of takes about Kiffin’s character and loyalty. But recruiting wins speak louder than tweets.

Martin is the kind of player who can anchor a backfield. He’s got the size to run between the tackles and the speed to bounce outside. LSU’s offense under Kiffin has historically leaned on versatile backs, and Martin fits that mold. He’s also the kind of in-state pickup that helps Kiffin rebuild trust with Louisiana high school coaches — a group that matters immensely at LSU.

The Tigers are already preparing for the 2026 season, which kicks off in early September. With Kiffin at the helm, every move he makes will be compared to what he did at Ole Miss. So far, he’s winning some of those battles.

When LSU travels to Oxford next season, expect the atmosphere to be electric — and expect Kiffin to hear about his departure from every corner of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. But landing Martin gives him a talking point before he even steps off the bus.