Just a few months ago, Ole Miss fans weren’t sure whether Kewan Lacy would even be wearing red and blue this fall.
Now he’s one of the faces of college football. The star running back was recently unveiled as a cover athlete for EA Sports College Football 27, becoming one of only three players featured on both versions of the game’s cover. It’s another milestone in what has become a remarkable rise for one of the most dynamic players in the country, and for Ole Miss, it’s validation that one of the SEC’s most explosive players is finally getting the national recognition many believed he deserved all along.
A Different Offseason Than Expected
When Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU, uncertainty immediately followed. Questions surrounded the future of several key players, including Lacy and quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. National speculation suggested both could follow Kiffin to Baton Rouge, especially considering LSU’s aggressive pursuit of talent through the transfer portal and NIL landscape.
Instead, Lacy stayed, and became one of the foundational pieces of Pete Golding’s first Ole Miss team. According to discussion on Talk of Champions, Ole Miss moved quickly to retain both Lacy and Chambliss during the coaching transition, ensuring the Rebels would enter 2026 with one of the nation’s most dangerous offensive duos intact. That decision now looks even more significant.
The Recognition Finally Arrives
For much of last season, many around the program felt Lacy wasn’t receiving the attention his production warranted. Despite setting records and emerging as one of the SEC’s most productive backs, national conversations often centered on bigger brands and bigger programs.
Lacy’s appearance on the cover of one of sports gaming’s most iconic franchises places him among the sport’s most recognizable stars heading into the season.
“It’s a big accomplishment,” Ben Garrett said during Talk of Champions. “A guy who wasn’t getting all the recognition he deserved is now one of the faces of college football.”
Heisman Conversations Are Coming
The cover athlete announcement may only be the beginning. Ole Miss is expected to launch significant national campaigns for both Lacy and Chambliss as the season approaches.
The Rebels enter 2026 with legitimate College Football Playoff expectations, and successful teams often produce individual award contenders. Lacy’s name is already beginning to appear in preseason All-America discussions and early Heisman Trophy conversations. If Ole Miss competes for an SEC championship and playoff berth, those discussions will only intensify.
