Top 5 Backfields? Analysis of the Ole Miss Rebels running room

Even after losing its leader, the Ole Miss Rebels backfield added and retained major talent.

After running back Quinshon Judkins decided to enter the transfer portal, the Ole Miss Rebels had a huge hole to fill in the backfield.

How did head coach Lane Kiffin handle this challenge? Using what he had on the roster and attacking the transfer portal with his usual fury.

What does each Ole Miss running back bring in 2024? Let’s dive below.

Ulysses Bentley IV

While most of the country was focused on Judkins’ production, Ole Miss fans knew they had something special in Ulysses Bentley.

Bentley had a breakout night in Oxford when Jaxson Dart helped lead the Rebel offense down the field with less than two minutes remaining to stun the LSU Tigers and truly cap off one of the most memorable moments in history of the Rebels. While Dart and Tre Harris combined for what became the game-winning touchdown, Bentley was a key contributor throughout the contest.

His ability to run inside and outside the tackles makes him a very versatile back in the running game, but his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield makes him a home run threat every snap.

Bentley totaled 540 rushing yards last season and was very productive as a second-string defender. He also shows great patience in the hole and explosiveness in the open field.

He’s struggled to stay healthy at times, but with the new additions, it looks like Kiffin will use a pretty consistent rotation out of the backfield.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

After spring practice concluded, Lane Kiffin knew he needed to add more talent to the running back room and add more depth to a scarce backfield.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt is 5-foot-11, 204 pounds and began his career at Alabama State before transferring from the FCS ranks to the FBS ranks at New Mexico.

At New Mexico, Croskey-Merritt had his breakout season in 2023 where he rushed for over 1,100 yards.

This back has tons of benefits. He has a combination of speed and physicality that’s hard to find with running backs making the jump to the SEC. One thing that stands out about Croskey-Merritt is that he always keeps his feet on first contact to get those tough yards.

The ability to fall forward is a trait that can be overlooked, but getting those extra yards could be the difference between wins and losses.

Henry Parrish Jr.

Rebels fans are familiar with this name since Parrish was part of a 10-win season in 2021. He was featured in the 2021 backfield trio with Snoop Connor and Jerrion Ealy.

Parrish was transferred after Kevin Smith left to take the running backs coach job at Miami. After Smith returned to Ole Miss, Oxford looked like Parrish’s landing spot after he entered the portal this offseason.

Parrish has been one of the Hurricanes’ most productive backs over the past two seasons, rushing for over 600 yards in back-to-back campaigns. He’s another explosive runner in that backfield and should give the Rebels another key depth piece in this “back by committee” situation.

Logan Diggs

Another familiar name to Rebel fans is Logan Diggs, who was the key defender for Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers last season.

Diggs’ production in 2024 remains a question mark as he underwent knee surgery in the offseason. Lane Kiffin admitted in March that he didn’t know when he could add the piece to his offense, but he chose to look on the bright side of the situation.

“We hope he helps us at some point during the season,” Kiffin said. “How quickly? I don’t know, so that could also be a blessing. … When someone comes back from an injury, and it’s later in the season, they have fresh legs. Sometimes it can be really a good thing.”

If you can save Diggs for the latter part of the season, you have another capable running back who could help when other rushers have worn down throughout the year.