Lane Kiffin reveals plan with Quinshon Judkins following explosive start to camp

Ole Miss football completely retooled their roster this offseason, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Head coach Lane Kiffin has been candid about the Rebels massive overhaul, noting that bringing along so many freshmen and transfers is quite the burden for his coaching staff.

However, the running back position is where Ole Miss really nabbed some playmakers. The No. 7 overall player in On3’s Transfer Portal Rankings, TCU tailback Zach Evans, is headed to Oxford. However, the Rebels also landed a three-star freshman that’s already turning heads in training camp.

Quinshon Judkins, fresh out of the 2022 class, is ready to make an immediate impact. His coach recently said that he already looks the part. Here was Kiffin on Judkins’ noticeable physicality and how the RB grabbed attention from the coaches during summer workouts:

“I kind of look at things from a personnel standpoint, you know, when I go out there. You know, kind of general manager-ish. And where guys — instead of just coach — where they’re at now, where they’re gonna be. You know, we have a few guys that have come in here that I say look like [they’re] supposed to at an elite program. And he would be one of those. So he looks as good as any high school player we’ve signed from a physical standpoint.”

Kiffin continued, emphasizing Judkins’ impressive build for a high school player, since most of the team’s more physically developed guys coming in are older transfers.

“But, you know, a lot of our guys that kind of get off the bus looking really good are portals. I’m not saying they aren’t good players. I’m just saying that our kind of best height: speed ratio when you’re out there looking for the WOW factor — he’s one of our high school guys who has that already.”

Not bad for a guy ranked nearly 500th in his class. Perhaps a huge upside win for Kiffin and co. on the recruiting trail. But, the head coach notes, none of his physical gifts matter if he can’t pick up the game from a mental perspective.

“Now, you gotta do a lot to be able to play and put that all together,” said Kiffin. Plenty of guys will wow you with their athleticism — but finding the most effective way to use those gifts is the key to unlocking your potential.

Lane Kiffin is clearly high on Quinshon Judkins. Time will tell whether that affection turns into major snaps come game time.