The issue with Baron goes back to last year when he entered the transfer portal, but then got out of the portal 24 hours later. It was reported at the time that he wanted to play SS edge, but DLC Rodney Garner believes he is better suited at WS edge. I don't know, but assume Baron thinks SS edge means more money.
I think most UT fans assumed he was off to the NFL after the 2023 season, so it was somewhat surprising when he announced he was entering the portal. But I guess in this era it makes sense for a senior with another year of eligibility to explore their options. I assume he may have had his NFL draft stock assessed, although I certainly don't know for certain, and decided to see if he could make more next year through NIL, so enter the portal, see what offers he gets, and see if UT will up the ante to keep him. Again, I don't know, but assume UT wasn't willing to match what Ole Miss offered. While I would like form him to have remained at UT, I think the staff passed, in part because he was obviously not 100% happy playing WS, which can cause locker-room issues, but also because I suspect the staff is happy with the young edges they already have on the roster, plus having 5* edge Jordan Ross coming on board.
As far as Baron, and others, flipping from Ole Miss to UL, I'm wondering if maybe Kiffin is making promises that the Ole Miss collective can't, or won't match. We know that not long ago Kiffin was complaining about the lack of NIL money available, and 'encouraging' donors to do more. Then suddenly he was grabbing every elite transfer in the portal. It makes you wonder if he was trying to force Ole Miss donors to contribute more to hold on to these transfers, and these businessmen said no.