How Quinshon Judkins exceeded all expectations as a freshman at Ole Miss

Quinshon Judkins stole a ton of the spotlight last season with what he did as a freshman at Ole Miss. He took over the Rebel’s backfield and ended up as the SEC’s most prolific rusher.

That’s why On3’s Charles Power had such positive things to say about Judkins in a recent appearance on ‘The Paul Finebaum Show’. He said he absolutely outshined what the fanbase was expecting from Zach Evans by doing things that, week in and week out, helped Ole Miss find wins.

“Quinshon Judkins was phenomenal. I think he was the breakout star of the SEC last year, at least on offense,” Power said. “He was our Offensive True Freshman of the Year last year. And you think about, going into the season, everybody was talking about Zach Evans, the TCU transfer and former five-star. Quinshon Judkins outplayed Zach Evans last year. It seemed like he had 150 yards every week.”

“(He’s) a guy who was not as heralded but he was a top target for Lane Kiffin. They got him out of Alabama and he was phenomenal last year,” said Power. “A guy that forces a ton of missed tackles. He’s not going to blow you away from a size or speed perspective. But very instinctive, maximizes yardage, and really kept Ole Miss’ offense churning last year in games that they needed to win.”

Judkins finished with 1,567 rushing yards and 16 scores on the ground in 2022 on 274 carries. All three statistics led the Rebels last season in Oxford as well as the entire conference.

All that earned him honors as the AP’s SEC Newcomer of the Year, a member of the AP’s First-Team All-SEC, a member of the All-SEC Coaches First Team, and as On3’s Offensive True Freshman of the Year.

Now, ahead of next season, On3 has Judkins ranked as a Top-20 player in college football and as the No. 2 running back behind only Michigan’s Blake Corum by both On3 and PFF.

That’s high praise for the former three-star from Peak Road, Alabama. However, based on what Judkins accomplished last year, it’s justified and has set a very high bar for what many expect him to do as a sophomore.

Kiffin slaps ‘rat poison’ label on Heisman hype for Judkins

Lane Kiffin used the term “rat poison” after he heard Heisman Trophy hype about Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins.

Kiffin took after his former boss Nick Saban, who routinely used it throughout the Alabama program. Basically, it means don’t buy into hype or over-the-top criticism because it ultimately doesn’t matter.

Kiffin, who’s notoriously good at using Twitter for comedic effect, used rat and skull emojis in a tweet responding to “Cousin Shane” offering a bold prediction regarding Judkins.

“They gotta have a signature win,” Cousin Shane said on The SEC Podcast. “All right. I think when you’re looking at a team because, unfortunately, I don’t see Ole Miss winning an SEC championship. I don’t see them winning a natty. Their schedule is tough as hell. And it is a juggernaut of a schedule.”

“Now could it happen? Obviously. But that’s just a little too bold for me. I’m looking for a signature victory. And when I’m looking at this schedule, you know where they’re gonna find it? Athens, baby. Now this is why, this is why, pull over Georgia fans don’t wreck. This is a bold take here.”

.@Lane_Kiffin called 🐀☠️ when he saw Quinshon Judkins Heisman hype! But does the @OleMissFB RB have a case this year?@On3Sports x @OMSpiritOn3

READ HERE: https://t.co/EjnB7Wip2X pic.twitter.com/fpCGqiQrja

— Nick Kosko (@nickkosko59) May 25, 2023