After weeks of interviews with coaches and various players about the upcoming football season, Ole Miss specialists kicker Lucas Carneiro and punter Oscar Bird spoke to the media in Oxford ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Carneiro, who transferred from Western Kentucky, discussed his reasons for moving to Ole Miss. He said his main goal was to increase his physical strength to improve his chances of playing in the NFL. Carneiro outlined his approach on game days as a balance between mental clarity and focusing on proper leg swing and ball contact.
Last season at Western Kentucky, Carneiro earned All-American honors, was a Lou Groza semifinalist, converted 18 out of 19 field goal attempts, and made all six kicks from beyond 50 yards.
Bird comes to Ole Miss from Australia, where he played professionally with the Perth Football Club in the Western Australian Football League. He follows another Australian punter at Ole Miss but is unique in having professional Australian football experience before learning American college punting. Bird explained that after realizing his path to the top league in Australia was closing, a friend introduced him to opportunities for Australians as college football punters. Bird described coming to America as “an adventure” and shared that he is enjoying both college athletics and life in Mississippi.
During media sessions, Bird discussed trying Southern foods like grits and gumbo for the first time. He also spent more than ten minutes at the podium, sharing details about his adjustment process and enthusiasm for being part of Ole Miss football.
Ole Miss fans are watching these specialists closely as both are expected to play key roles during the 2025 season.
