Almost every offense has RPOs built into its system. But Charlie Weis Jr. and Lane Kiffin have perfected how they use them.
In 2025, Ole Miss had an RPO built into almost every run play, and they threw 117 of them, averaging 8.9 yards per attempt with a 57% success rate.
Here are three ways current LSU OC Charlie Weis Jr. uses them to perfection.
1. Quick Game
Most people think of RPOs as a run with a pass tag, but it can also be a pass with a run tag. Charlie Weis Jr. prefers quick game RPOs over quick game protection. This provides relief if the quick game concept is covered.
On 23 plays of Spacing, 61% of them were RPOs. On 26 on Ohio, 99% of them were RPOs.
Below, Weis Jr. dials up a QB Draw RPO Shock concept. Oklahoma is in Cover 1, so the Slot Fade is actually an ideal call. However, the slot defender is playing off, and the other two defenders are playing up close. They are able to cover it well, but instead of Ole Miss being in pass protection, they have a QB draw with it. With 6 blockers for 6 in the box, the run provides relief since the pass concept wasn’t there.
2. Replacement RPOs
Many of Ole Miss’s RPOs came from access throws like Hitches or Fade routes. But replacement RPOs are the ideal way to put the defense in conflict in both the run and the pass. A replacement RPO keys a certain defender, and the Quarterback will read him to decide whether to throw the ball or hand it off. This can happen with a Hitch route holding an Overhang defender or a Glance route holding a Safety from coming into the box.
Below, Ole Miss is going to run an Iso RPO with Hitches to the field and a Post route to the boundary. There are 5 blockers for 5 box defenders; however, there are some defenders that could creep in. The Hitch by #3 to the field holds the Overhang defender from coming into the box, and then the Quarterback has to read the boundary Safety to decide whether to throw it or run it. The Safety ends up coming down, so the Post comes open over the top.
3. Play-Actions
Since Ole Miss ran so many RPOs, they averaged 38 runs a game. This makes defenses bite down a little bit harder on the run.
Charlie Weis Jr. dialed up 179 Play-Action passes because he wanted everything to look the same and he knew the box defenders were worried about the run.
You can see in the clip below, it looks like Ole Miss is running an Iso Double Insert, but they play-action it and run a Post with a Crossing route. Georgia is in a 3-High Safety look and the play-action makes 2 Safeties fly down and the Cross comes open behind them.
The Charlie Weis Jr. System
Charlie Weis Jr. has perfected the RPO by running into light boxes or throwing to space. If you want to watch all 117 RPO clips, click here to access The Charlie Weis Jr. System.
Stay tuned for another system dropping in the next few days. We are releasing an exciting one before the 2026 CFB season kicks off!