Lane Kiffin reveals how QuinShon Judkins has handled the pressure with increased workload

Ole Miss freshman running back QuinShon Judkins was touted as a major offensive weapon throughout the preseason but has still exceeded all expectations early in the year. Working alongside Zach Evans and Ulysses Bentley, he has turned the Rebels backfield into one of the most dangerous units in college football.

Head coach Lane Kiffin discussed how QuinShon Judkins has handled the pressure of an increased workload and increased fame as a well-known freshman SEC running back.

“He’s great,” said Kiffin. “He was really struggling early in the week physically from all the pounding two weeks ago. But he was better by the end of the week. He was good today even though it was a walk-through and he didn’t take the pounding he took the week before. So he’s doing a phenomenal job.”

Many young players who reached an unexpected level of early success might change the way they go about day-to-day tasks off the field, but Kiffin respects that Judkins has the same demeanor as always.

“It’s just unique, and you would not guess that being around him. His personality is very calm, very quiet. So you wouldn’t, personality-wise, you wouldn’t guess that he’s one of those – the most unique we had was Troy Polomalu, who was unbelievable off the field and then this switch would go and he’d just want to knock everybody out on the field. And Q kind of reminds me of that off the field, so it’s really neat. He was raised really well.”

Lane Kiffin responds to QuinShon Judkins success on social media

Lane Kiffin cautions his Ole Miss players against “rat poison” — but apparently that applies to their parents, as well.

As QuinShon Judkins has broken out at running back for the Rebels, the hype is becoming more and more apparent. Indisputably, it’s deserved — Judkins has amassed 535 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on 85 carries over his first season in Oxford.

Still, Kiffin hilariously took to Twitter to caution Judkin’s mother — Teeva Judkins — against falling victim to the “rat poison.”

“Prepare to witness his realest year,” Judkins’ mother said. “(Rat poison) momma,” Kiffin replied.

Regardless, it’s difficult not to get amped up while watching Judkins play for the Rebels, as the star running back is making his case as one of the best ball carriers in the nation already. While he came to Ole Miss as a three-star recruit out of Pike Road, Alabama, nobody could’ve predicted he’d make such an impact so quick.

With more success will come more rat poison, and Lane Kiffin knows the sky is the limit for QuinShon Judkins. Ole Miss has a star, and the running back and his family will continue to have their eye on the prize.