Ole Miss’ running back room has OC Charlie Weis Jr excited about the ground game

It’s obvious to anyone with eyes the Ole Miss running back situation is in good hands.

After all, one of the top running backs in the country and an early Heisman candidate in sophomore Quinshon Judkins is in the house and is looking for even more than his SEC-leading yards from a year ago.

His impact in the running back room is immeasurable, just ask Ole Miss Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.

“I was around Derrick Henry at Alabama and I think Q is right there with him,” Weis said, in his one and only meeting with the media this season. “His skill set has improved since last season. The things he can do in the passing game now are really unique.”

Having a player like Quinshon challenges the offensive coaches to figure out creative ways to get Judkins the ball to give him room to operate.

“We’ll continue to grow our system to find creative ways to showcase him,” Weis noted. “We will use him in multiple ways. We have to. He is our feature back and we want him to have the ball in his hands as much as possible in different ways.”

Ole Miss co-OC and QBs coach Charlie Weis Jr.

What is just as encouraging for the RB room is past Judkins with the other backs, who have a good skill set as well.

Even though he is a little banged up right now, Ulysses Bentley IV adds a dimension to the Ole Miss running back room that cannot be taught – speed. He’s shown quite a bit of explosiveness this fall camp and if he gets in the secondary, it’s lights out. He’s going to the house.

“Ulysses has done some great things in camp and is extremely explosive,” Weis noted. “He’s a weapon for sure. He is a great compliment to Quinshon because their styles are completely different.”

Ole Miss true freshman Kedrick Reescano has shown an SEC skill set in fall camp as well. He’s “good” across the board – size, instincts, vision, hands, speed. His future is bright as a quality collegiate running back.

Jam Griffin was recently added from the transfer portal from Oregon State. He seems to have a lot of the same skills as Judkins and Reescano. He’s shorter at 5-9, but he’s a solid 210 pounds. Griffin also has good running back instincts, vision, quickness in cuts and adequate speed.

“Jam and Kedrick are doing some very good things too. There is a lot of competition in that room and they are all working to get carries. Jam came out and has attacked the day and I love his mindset,” Weis closed.

“We’re blessed in our running back room for sure.”

Matt Jones and Fred McAfee are also in the picture. However, Jones has been injured of late, while Jam seems to be getting extra reps in order to catch him up mentally with the rest of the pack.

But Weis has every reason to be pleased with the Ole Miss RB room. When you start with an All-American, it doesn’t get much better.

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