Ole Miss Gets Luxury Boost from Patriots Owner Ahead of Playoffs

Ole Miss is heading into its first-ever college football playoff appearance with a little extra star power—literally. The Rebels received a special treat from Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots, as they prepared for their high-stakes quarterfinal showdown against Georgia.

Kraft, whose fortune is estimated at $13.8 billion, gave the team access to the Patriots’ private plane, “AirKraft One.” This rare gesture allowed Pete Golding’s squad to fly to New Orleans in first-class comfort, a perk few college teams ever experience. On their official X page, Ole Miss thanked the Patriots for the luxury ride, posting: “Thanks for the lift @Patriots.”

The connection between Ole Miss and New England runs deeper than just this lavish gesture. Joe Judge, former Patriots special teams coordinator and quarterbacks coach, now serves as a senior analyst for the Rebels. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., whose father led the Patriots’ offense from 2000 to 2004, also brings a slice of Patriots DNA to the program.

The plane ride isn’t the first time Kraft has gone out of his way for a college team. In 2021, he arranged a Patriots aircraft for the University of Rhode Island, covering all travel expenses to save the team an eight-hour bus ride. His goal is clear: lift the players’ spirits—and it seems to be working.

After landing in New Orleans, junior wide receiver Cayden Lee shared his excitement about playing in the Superdome. “That’s big time, the Superdome; that’s something everybody dreams of playing,” Lee said. “We know the fans will pack it just like they do at home. I’m excited to experience Louisiana and maybe even get some home cooking from friends in the area.”

Ole Miss isn’t just flying high—they’re also eyeing new talent from the transfer portal. LSU’s roster shake-up could be a major advantage for Golding’s squad, especially with Frank Wilson joining as associate head coach and running backs coach. Wilson’s connections could help the Rebels snag players entering the portal, including cornerback Ashton Stamps, defensive lineman Ahmad Breaux, and running back Kaleb Jackson.

Stamps, a Louisiana native, started all 13 games in 2024, tallying 74 tackles and 16 pass breakups over his career. Breaux has 24 games under his belt with notable tackles, while Jackson, standing 6’2” and 234 pounds, could add size and experience to the backfield. With a perfect mix of playoff excitement and transfer opportunities, Ole Miss is positioning itself for a memorable postseason run.

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