The question is why? Why would Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins enter the transfer portal?
Judkins is one of the top running backs in the Southeastern Conference. He played for an Ole Miss team that won 11 games this season – the most in school history, which began in 1899.
Judkins has more than 3,000 yards from scrimmage and scored 34 touchdowns in his two seasons with the Rebels. Only the great Hershel Walker had more touchdowns in his first two seasons.
His coach just got a Top 20 recruiting class, the No. 1 transfer portal signing class and his team will be ranked in the Top 10 ahead of next season.
Quishon Judkins stats
| Year | G | Att | Yards | Avg | TD | Rec | Yards | Avg | TD |
| 2022 | 13 | 274 | 1567 | 5.7 | 16 | 15 | 132 | 8.8 | 1 |
| 2023 | 13 | 271 | 1158 | 4.3 | 15 | 22 | 149 | 6.8 | 2 |
NIL money in college football likely a factor in Quinshon Judkins’ decision
Judkins was supposed to join an Ole Miss offense that could be one of the best in the country next season. Quarterback Jaxson Dart, tight end Caden Prieskorn and wide receivers Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins all said ahead of the Peach Bowl they’re coming back in 2024.
But this decision likely comes down to NIL money. Judkins is gambling that he will get more money somewhere else, or someone connected with Ole Miss will step up and convince him to stick around.
College athletes have a right to seek payment for their name, image and likeness. That’s probably what Judkins is doing here. But it doesn’t make Ole Miss fans any less nervous.
Rebels coach Lane Kiffin can understand what Judkins is doing. Kiffin told Sports Illustrated before last season that Alabama quarteback Bryce Young should have entered the portal, so he could get more NIL money. Kiffin is in favor of the transfer portal and also a believer in players getting compensated. But he has also ripped NIL for various issues it is creating through the boosters.
Kiffin himself just got a contract extension as Ole Miss is expecting big things out of this team and its coach. Quinshon Judkins still on the team will go a long way to helping that happen.