Full Breakdown
Ole Miss Running Back Kewan Lacy Reflects on Turbulent Season, Embraces Q-Collar Protection
6/25/2026, 3:07:02 PM
Season Overview Amid Coaching Turmoil
The Ole Miss Rebels posted their strongest record in program history but fell short of a national championship. Running back Kewan Lacy said the ultimate prize remained out of reach, despite the team’s resilience. The season was marked by the abrupt departure of head coach Lane Kiffin, who left Oxford for LSU just before the playoffs, leaving the Rebels uncertain about which assistants would remain on the sidelines.
Background: Coaching Change and Emerging Safety Gear
Kiffin’s exit forced the Rebels to navigate a postseason without a stable coaching staff, a situation Lacy described as a “fiasco.” Concurrently, Lacy began wearing the Q-Collar, a neck-worn device cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and marketed as the first equipment proven to limit brain movement during repetitive head impacts. Lacy’s mother introduced him to the device after observing other players using it.
Key Figures & Groups
- Kewan Lacy – Ole Miss All-American running back
- Ole Miss Rebels – University of Mississippi football program
- Lane Kiffin – Former Ole Miss head coach who joined LSU
- Q-Collar – FDA-cleared protective neck device
- Trinidad Chambliss – Returning Ole Miss player
- U.S. Senate – Advanced the Protect College Sports Act, a legislative effort to enhance athlete safety
- SEC & Big Ten – Conferences that voiced opposition to the Senate’s proposal
Data & Statistics
Lacy entered the offseason as an All-American, underscoring his elite status. The Q-Collar is distinguished as the sole FDA-cleared sports product with evidence of reducing brain motion from repetitive impacts.
Official Statements & Responses
Lacy emphasized that the team maintained a game-by-game focus, refusing to let external distractions affect performance. He framed the coaching turnover as part of football’s business reality, insisting players must compete regardless of staff changes. Regarding the Q-Collar, Lacy described it as a proactive step toward extending athletes’ careers by mitigating head-related risks. He expressed optimism that new staff additions and retained talent, including returning player Trinidad Chambliss, position the Rebels to advance further in the upcoming season.
Criticism & Opposition
The Senate’s Protect College Sports Act, intended to broaden safety measures for collegiate athletes, encountered resistance from the SEC and Big Ten conferences. Critics argued the legislation could impose undue regulatory burdens on member institutions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I grade it based off of that - that the ultimate prize wasn't won,” — Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss running back
- “We still came up short in the season. The main goal is to get to that national title. But we never really let the outside noise get to us. We just tried to focus on game by game,” — Kewan Lacy
- “It’s helped me a lot, just trying to find different ways to protect myself, be as sharp as I can on the field and just maximize my playing time or the time I have on the field.” — Kewan Lacy
- “Going into this year with our new staff we got and all the new pieces we have, I feel like we just got to take it game by game, and this year I feel like we can go even farther," he said.” — Kewan Lacy
What’s Next
Entering the new season, the Rebels will rely on a refreshed coaching roster and continued Q-Collar use to safeguard player health. Lacy anticipates that the combination of experienced talent and enhanced protective equipment will enable the team to pursue a deeper postseason run and potentially capture the national title.
