College football isn’t the same sport we grew up watching. The transfer portal has made sure of that. And Thursday proved to be a reminder of that very fact, as Ole Miss star running back Quinshon Judkins announced that he was entering the transfer portal. Needless to say, it was the latest wave to be sent across the college football landscape.
But what does Judkins’ departure mean for Ole Miss specifically? As one of the best backs in the country, it’s understandably a big loss. But is it a difference-maker for the Rebels?
However, before we get to that, let’s first discuss why Judkins is departing from Oxford.
NIL Related Decision
There’s a lot of speculation surrounding Judkins’ departure. And the easiest go-to explanation is the legalization of the NIL aspect of college athletics. While that could very well be the primary reason, it doesn’t necessarily seem to be the only cause.
It’s well known that he is already making good money through NIL from The Grove Collective. There have also been reports that he is the highest-paid running back in the country. While details aren’t publicly released, given his talent, and the collective, it’s not a farfetched notion.
However, he may have been asking for more. Based on a tweet that was reposted on X/Twitter by The Grove Collective’s Executive Director Walker Jones, this was almost certainly the case. The tweet simply stated, “Do not overpay for a RB.” It sounds as if the two sides couldn’t come to a mutual agreement on a specific number for next season.
There’s also a strong likelihood that next season proves to be his last as a college running back. He becomes draft-eligible and is a likely candidate to be taken in the first round or two. Ole Miss is also expected to be a preseason top-10 team next season.
So does it make sense to leave a contender for one season, solely for a slight upgrade in NIL money? While only Judkins and his family can answer this question, it seems like a stretch. So could there be more at play regarding this decision?
Locker Room Conflict?
Another rumor that has come out is that there may have been tension between Judkins and other players in the Rebels locker room. While there’s no way to confirm this, there’s a lot of evidence that suggests this could be true.
Following Judkins’s transfer announcement, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart put up a quote of Tom Brady discussing “selfish players” on his Instagram story. That post has since been deleted. While cryptic, the timing of the post seems to suggest it was targeted at Judkins’ departure.
There are also two moments from Ole Miss’ Peach Bowl win over Penn State that stand out regarding this topic. The first was when Rebel offensive lineman Jayden Williams declined to help Judkins up following a run.
Q must of pissed some linemen off.. Jayden Williams said, Nah I’m good 😂 pic.twitter.com/8ZuracuTJs
— MSU Troll Patrol (@ProudPatriot401) January 4, 2024
A lineman doing this to a star running back implies that there’s tension between the two. Given that Judkins has previously criticized the Ole Miss offensive line earlier this season, the tension seems to have been building for a while.
Then, later in the Peach Bowl, Dart was seen animatedly addressing head coach Lane Kiffin on the sideline, after having called a timeout. Many who were present are suggesting this was due to Dart wanting Judkins out of the game, due to constant criticism of the offensive line during the game, causing distractions in the huddle.
Here’s the video of that exchange.
It all makes sense now… pic.twitter.com/NLZJT3xb4H
— Kÿłé (@OleMissFB3) January 4, 2024
While there have been previous grumblings of unhappiness from Judkins prior to the bowl game, it appears as if frustration from both sides finally reached a boiling point in Atlanta. Adding this locker room tension to the NIL discussions, and it’s easy to imagine that this was a mutual decision from both parties.
Who Does Ole Miss Turn To Without Judkins?
While at Ole Miss, Judkins became the first SEC running back to score 15+ touchdowns in his first two seasons since Herschel Walker did it at Georgia. His departure is a major loss for the Rebels.
But it is worth pointing out that Ulysses Bentley IV still has one year of eligibility remaining if he chooses to use it. In two years in Oxford, Bentley has averaged 5.5 yards per carry. This shows that he is more than capable of taking over the starting role.
Ole Miss also signed Kedrick Reescano during the 2023 recruiting cycle. While he didn’t receive any touches this year, due to a crowded running back room, he was a highly touted 4-star recruit coming out of high school. He was listed as the eighth-best running back prospect nationally, according to 247Sports. With the Judkins decision, Reescano is certain to have a chance to see plenty of snaps next season.
Then, knowing Kiffin’s fondness for transfers, you can also expect him to seek out a running back through the portal. One such name to look out for is Oregon running back Dante Dowdell. Dowdell is a four-star back from the 2023 class, according to 247Sports. He’s also a Picayune, MS native. Could Kiffin attempt to get him to return to his home state?
The Bottom Line
Regardless of who ends up becoming the Rebels feature back in 2024, they’re sure to get plenty of touches. In this year’s Peach Bowl alone, Judkins got 34 carries. In his two seasons in Oxford, he received 274 and 271 carries, respectively.
Before Judkins arrived in 2022, Ole Miss led the SEC in rushing at nearly 218 yards per game in 2021. In 2020, on a per-game basis, the Rebels led the conference in rushing, as well. Needless to say, in a Kiffin-led offense, the running game is a key component. This can be an individual focus, or a “by committee” approach.
While it’s unfortunate for Ole Miss fans to see Judkins leave, there’s no reason to expect the rushing attack to become dormant or take a step back next season. The best course of action is to thank Judkins for what he’s given to the program over his two seasons and extend well wishes to him wherever he ends up.
