Ole Miss Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins shocked the college football world Thursday, announcing his intention to enter the transfer portal and find a new home for next season. A rare talent now available on the open market, where are some potential Judkins landing spots for the 2024 college campaign?
Landing Spots for Quinshon Judkins
In this ever-changing college football landscape, top-tier players entering the transfer portal are nothing new. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly more common. However, Judkins stating his intention to leave Ole Miss has sent a shockwave around the sport.
The anticipated SEC contender will lose a running back who has made a name for himself as one of the best in college.
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
Judkins burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2022, racking up 1,699 scrimmage yards and 17 total touchdowns while earning a plethora of conference and national accolades — including CFN Freshman All-American First Team honors. As a follow-up, he surpassed 1,000 yards for a second consecutive season while matching his total touchdowns from 2022.
The dynamic back was expected to spearhead an Ole Miss assault on the SEC in the upcoming college football season. However, having bolstered their roster through the transfer portal, we’re looking at potential Judkins landing spots instead.
Alabama Crimson Tide
There’s a feeling brewing already that the former Ole Miss running back doesn’t want to leave the SEC in his pursuit of a new home. If, in fact, he would like to remain in the conference and have a consistent opportunity to compete for a national championship, then Alabama must be among the favorite Judkins landing spots for the 2024 college football season.
Although the Crimson Tide weren’t involved in the original recruiting process for the uber-talented running back, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees was part of the Notre Dame contingent that tried to attract Judkins to South Bend in the 2022 class.
Alabama is no stranger to landing high-profile running backs from the transfer portal. Nick Saban’s team plucked Jahmyr Gibbs from the portal ahead of the 2022 college football campaign, and he went on to have the best season of his career and subsequently earned a first-round NFL Draft selection.
Meanwhile, Tuscaloosa is just two hours up the road from his hometown of Pike Road. In the social media post announcing his entry into the college football transfer portal, Judkins emphasized that he felt it was “the best decision for my personal and athletic growth,” with the former potentially indicating a desire to move closer to home.
Michigan Wolverines
If one of the principal guiding factors in deciding to enter the college football transfer portal is the ability to compete for a national championship, then where better to continue the list of potential Judkins landing spots than a team days away from playing in the College Football National Championship Game? The Michigan Wolverines tick a lot of boxes for the transfer RB.
Jim Harbaugh’s team was one of the original suitors for the former three-star high school recruit, and primary recruiter Mike Hart is still the running backs coach in Ann Arbor.
Furthermore, the Wolverines will likely be on the hunt for a new leadback, with superstar Blake Corum expected to declare for the NFL Draft. Playing behind a high-caliber offensive line should prove alluring.
Auburn Tigers
If a return close to home is at the forefront of his decision-making, then the Judkins landing spots should also include the Auburn Tigers. His hometown of Pike Road is less than an hour down the I-85 from the university.
The Tigers were one of the original teams that recruited him, with primary recruiter Cadillac Williams still the RB coach for the SEC outfit.
Miami Hurricanes
Another team involved in Judkins’ initial recruitment is the Miami Hurricanes. The ‘Canes recently lost Donald Chaney Jr. to the transfer portal and could look to bolster their running back room with a true RB1.
While potentially not as attractive from the standpoint of national title contention, the offensive line he’d run behind in Miami could lead to another season of gaudy rushing production.
Texas Longhorns
Another team set to boast a stellar offensive line in 2024 is the Texas Longhorns, who will replace their RB1 for the second successive season with the departure of Jonathon Brooks. Although their roster boasts true freshman CJ Baxter, the infusion of Judkins into the backfield would ensure the Longhorns hit the ground running for their first-ever season in SEC competition.
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