What New Running Back Commitment Brings to Ole Miss

OXFORD, Miss. — Coach Lane Kiffin and his Rebels snagged a huge piece to its 2025 recruiting class Saturday. 4-star running back Shekai Mills-Knight has committed to Ole Miss over offers from Tennessee, Miami, Alabama and Auburn.

He is the No. 271 ranked prospect nationally, No. 18 running back and No. 8 player in Tennessee, according to On3’s Industry ranking. He had a total of 35 scholarship offers before trimming his list to five schools Aug. 13. 

The 6-foot-2, 220 pound back from Chattanooga, Tennessee pledge gives Ole Miss a talented piece to its future offense with his ability to use one cut to find the appropriate lane to run. Mills-Knight uses his speed in spurts knowing when to pull away from defenders with his separation.

When he gets to the second level, Mills-Knight will weave through defense instead of dancing until holes open. He has a combination of size, speed and physicality which makes him a perfect option for Kiffin’s offense due to his versatile running style. An understanding of how to utilize vision and angles could allow him to play early on in his college career.

Mills-Knight will invite physicality from defenders and run them over if they try to tackle him. As a reliable pass-game option, his hands offer the Rebels a reliable receiver capable of stretching the field and leaving defenses in the dust. Unless teams attempt gang tackles, he will punish tacklers and keep running.  As a junior, he rushed for 147 rimes for 1,200 yards.

Rivals national recruiter Sam Spiegelman spoke with the new Ole Miss commit last week about what stands out most to him about the Rebels and assistants who are recruiting him.

“They run a great offense and they’ve been top-five offense for several years now. Their position coaches (Kevin) Smith and (Enrique) Davis been there done that, so it’s different being taught by them. I could learn a lot and I love the plan they have to develop me. Ole Miss has the most fun in college football. They were my first offer and have been consistent showing love ever since.”

-Shekai Mills Knight to Sam Spiegelman about Ole Miss

Since Kiffin’s arrival in 2020, the Rebels have produced one of the country’s most physical, productive run games averaging 271 yards per game over the past four seasons. Ole Miss lost a key piece to its running back room with Quinshon Judkins fleeing to Ohio State.  Ulysses Bentley is a reliable veteran and Henry Parrish is back after a short stay at Miami.