Quinshon Judkins and Jam Griffin previewed the new one-two punch of the Ole Miss backfield

Saturday’s scrimmage did not show much in surprises or eyebrow raising moments but there was one noticeable thing while watching the Ole Miss offense.

Just days after being eligible and an official member of the Rebels roster transfer running back Jam Griffin received some significant touches in the first scrimmage of fall camp.

Significant in not the number of carries Griffin had but more in the fact he was seemingly already the number two running back behind sophomore Quinshon Judkins after being able to officially participate in only a handful of practices.

Now this could be due to the fact Ulysses Bentley IV is banged up and dealing with another injury, causing Griffin to move up to the RB2 slot for the time being. Though it could also mean the transfer senior has impressed in his short time.

Ole Miss wide receiver’s coach Derrick Nix, who served as the acting head coach for Saturday’s scrimmage, was complimentary of Griffin and the entire run game.

“I think the running back group as a whole has been very dynamic so far during camp,” Nix said. “They’ve been really the catalyst on offense. Finishing runs, giving great effort. Talking about Jam as he’s gotten in here. I mean for a guy that just transferred in he’s in shape. Understands concepts really well. You notice automatically the quickness of his feet and he can get to top speed and accelerate in a hurry.”

The ground game has impressed during the practice portions of fall camp but in Saturday’s scrimmage it was held in check by Pete Golding’s new-look offense.

Ole Miss standout Judkins was held to single digit rushing yards.

On 10 carries Judkins managed only nine yards against a defensive front that showed off its new four-man scheme at times.

Despite the lackluster day by Ole Miss rushing attack Judkins more so shrugged off his scrimmage performance and chalked it up to another day on the practice field.

“With our (offensive line) banged up and just not a lot of people in the play, in the mix. So we got a lot of young guys in there blocking today,” Judkins said after scrimmage. “Which, it happens. It’s practice. I think we just go turn on the tape and go back and see how to figure out and fix those things. Go out to practice and make it better next time.”

Watching Judkins and Griffin it reminded some of the one-two punch Ole Miss had a season ago with the aforementioned Judkins and Zach Evans. The TCU transfer and Griffin look similar in body type but Griffin is slightly shorter, but that does not deter from his effectiveness with the ball in his hands.

Judkins is already impressed with what his new teammate has shown in less but acknowledged time is a factor in Griffin getting knowledgeable with the playbook three weeks out from the season opener.

“To be (21) days away from our first game it’s an emphasis on how much (Griffin) needs to know as soon as possible,” Judkins said. “Us being a run-first offense I think that’s major for him. I think that’s a big emphasis for him just being here so late in the process. Just learn as fast as possible.”

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