With the fall semester officially underway and 13 days until the season opener, Ole Miss hasn't quite finished patching up its depth and personnel.

However, that hasn't deterred head coach Lane Kiffin and his coaching staff from pulling out all the stops to make things happen, especially with players having to share their time between the classroom and team facilities. Kiffin elaborated when he met with the media following Tuesday's practice.

"We're still in camp mode here," Kiffin said. "Tomorrow, we'll get more to our opener and preparation for that. They'll be extra work to develop guys, especially our young players and figure out where we'll play people. Obviously we're getting closer to that and we'll have to combine the two this week. It's always a tricky week. School is starting, so that's less time with them. We're going to have to maximize things."

It is a significant contrast between both sides of the ball as far as depth and numbers. On Tuesday, Kiffin revealed that the offensive line was at the forefront of numbers concerns, adding that it's been hard to develop there alongside receiver and tight end. Recently, multiple roster moves have been made.

Both sides of the ball swapped a player with Jalen Cunningham making the switch from offensive line to defensive line, while LeDarrius Cox will move to O-line from D-line. New South Carolina transfer Jordan Rhodes also gives Jake Thornton another big body to work with on the offensive front.

Despite the defense being healthy and having good depth, they made moves of their own. Veteran defender Keidron Smith is expected to make plays at the safety position now while still being a powerful influence for his younger teammates in the secondary. It didn't take long for Smith to pounce on the opportunity, as someone who's dedicated to his team.

"I felt that would be selfish of me to stay at corner rather than take on a new role on a team that will eventually better the team over the season," Smith said.

At corner last season, Smith finished second on the team with 64 tackles and an interception in the season finale against LSU. As a senior and someone planning for a football career beyond 2021, the move also gives Smith's stock a much needed shot in the arm.

"It helps me a lot," Smith said. "It shows them my versatility, using my coverage skills at the safety position. Being able to cover as a safety is a big deal, being physical as well. It helps a lot."

The Rebels open their 2021 season in Atlanta, Georgia, against Louisville in the 2021 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT and will be nationally televised by ESPN.