Ole Miss Football: Four players who could be the leading back for the Rebels in 2024
Earlier today, Rebels star running back Quinshon Judkins announced he would be entering the transfer portal. Who could be the next RB1 for Ole Miss in 2024?
The Quinshon Judkins news that came out of Oxford today was a blow for Lane Kiffin and the team. However, Kiffin will already be making plans on how the backfield could look in the 2024 season. Could these players be in Kiffin's plans?
Kedrick Reescano
Could Lane Kiffin utilize what's already in the building to be the lead back in 2024? Kedrick Reescano was a four-star recruit from the 2023 class, per 247sports. Reescano was a top-ten running back and highly touted by top college teams.
Reescano didn't see the field in 2023, which isn't a concern. It's not easy for a running back to get on the field as a true freshman, especially with high-quality players in front.
Spring ball will be important for the 6-foot-0, 210-pound Reescano. If Kiffin brings players in from the portal, the second-year running back will need to prove he can handle a high percentage of the load.
Ulysses Bentley IV
Another player who is still in the building as of today is Ulysses Bentley IV. The senior has one more year of eligibility. However, he has not confirmed if he will exercise that or head to the NFL Draft..
Bentley transferred to Oxford from SMU before the 2022 season, falling down the depth chart due to injuries. He did manage 16 carries for 73 yards and four touchdowns.
This season, Bentley played an important role alongside Judkins. The Texas native rushed for 540 yards and four touchdowns while adding one receiving score. In a handful of games, he stepped up when Judkins was struggling with an example of that being in the Arkansas game.
Bentley has shown he can be a vital support piece of the backfield. Could he step up and be the lead back in 2024?
Ja'Quinden Jackson
Could Lane Kiffin dip back into the transfer portal? A lot was expected of Redshirt sophomore Ja'Quinden Jackson when he transferred to Utah. The 6-foot-2 player transitioned from quarterback to running back when he arrived with the Utes.
Jackson finished the 2022 season strong, rushing for over 300 yards in the last three games. 2023 was full of ups and downs, waiting for the big-bodied running back to string a good run of games together.
Jackson fits the build that Kiffin likes in his running back. In just two years as a running back, Jackson has taken to the position well with reports suggesting injuries held him back this season. Could he be the answer for Kiffin as a Judkins replacement?
Ayo Adeyi
Another transfer portal player that makes sense for Lane Kiffin is North Texas RB Ayo Adeyi. Kiffin has a knack for picking up players from the group of five conferences that make instant impacts.
Adeyi transferred to North Texas from a Division Two school. Since his arrival, the junior RB has rushed for 2,320 yards in three seasons, surpassing the 1,000 mark for the first time this season. Adeyi has also rushed for 16 touchdowns in his time with the Mean Green.
Adeyi would be a great player to add to the roster to compete with Kedrick Resscano and potentially Ulysses Bentley IV in 2024.