College football is full of ‘what-ifs’. But for Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels, one ‘what-if’ looms larger than most. As the 2024 season wrapped with a respectable 10-3 record, there’s a nagging thought in Oxford: what if Quinshon Judkins had never left? The Rebels, climbing the SEC ladder under Kiffin’s leadership, are still searching for the consistency needed to break through at the top. But after seeing Judkins’ running riot in the Natty on Jan. 20, some Ole Miss fans—and insiders— are questioning if Kiffin’s transfer portal strategy is more house of cards than foundation.

The portal has been a lifeline. Over the past few seasons, Ole Miss has leaned hard on the transfer market to stay competitive, patching holes and plugging gaps wherever needed. It’s worked to an extent. The Rebels finished 2024 with a winning SEC record and another bowl game victory. But watching Judkins, now donning scarlet and gray, put up 100 rushing yards, three total touchdowns, and a highlight-reel performance against Notre Dame in the national championship makes that success feel hollow. Lane Kiffin himself seemed to echo this sentiment on the Locked on Ole Miss podcast when he admitted that Judkins’ departure sparked panic among the Rebels.

“Last year, I talked a lot about the 2021 stylistically backfield that Miss could have, and it just didn’t come to fruition for whatever reason. I think Miss panicked a little bit after Judkins left for Ohio State and just kind of started taking whoever they could get,” said the podcast host and insider Steven Willis. It’s a blunt assessment but hard to argue with. Judkins wasn’t just another piece of the offense—he was the engine. This year’s freshman at Ole Miss, he broke out with 1,567 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. His encore in 2023 included 1,158 yards and 15 more scores. Those numbers don’t just vanish when a player leaves; they create a crater. And while Henry Parrish Jr. stepped in admirably with 678 yards before a season-ending injury, the Rebels’ backfield never fully recovered its bite.

Kiffin’s portal-driven strategy has been a double-edged sword. On one hand, the Rebels brought in 24 players to bolster the roster, showing an aggressive commitment to staying competitive. On the other, it created a patchwork roster that lacked the cohesion needed to handle an SEC grind. The transfer portal is football’s version of speed dating: exciting, unpredictable, but ultimately a gamble. Kiffin’s willingness to embrace it is admirable, but the Judkins saga is a cautionary tale. Sometimes, retention is more valuable than replacement.

Judkins’ impact at Ohio State adds salt to the wound. In his first year with the Bucks, Judkins split carries with running back TreVeyon Henderson. He finished this season with similar stats to his Rebel days, with 1,082 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. But the difference is he’s doing it at the pinnacle of CFB while Miss struggled this season against an unranked Kentucky. The Buckeyes used him creatively, integrating him into the passing game and capitalizing on his knack for making defenders miss in space. His two years under Lane Kiffin undoubtedly shaped him, but watching him thrive elsewhere is a tough pill to swallow for Rebels fans. It’s like watching your ex become a millionaire—you’re happy for them but still a little bitter.

For Ole Miss, the challenge now is clear. They must prove that the sum of their parts can be greater than any one player. The 2025 season will be a litmus test for Kiffin’s vision. Can the 24 newcomers gel into a cohesive unit? Can Parrish bounce back and anchor the backfield? And most importantly, can the Rebels finally shed the “almost-there” label that’s followed them in recent years? Kiffin’s gamble on the portal may not have paid off yet, but if he can find a way to replace his former 6 ft #1’s production and keep the Rebels trending upward.

The memory of Judkins rumbling through SEC defenses in powder blue will linger in Oxford like a ghost.

Lane Kiffin and Miss trying to move over their past with Penn State’s WR

Lane Kiffin’s roll of the dice on the transfer portal hasn’t hit the jackpot just yet, but there’s still time for Ole Miss to cash in. The challenge ahead? Replacing Quinshon Judkins’ jaw-dropping production. Hand on heart, Judkins was a wrecking ball in powder blue, leaving SEC defenses haunted by his highlight reels. Now, Kiffin must work his magic to keep the Rebels climbing in the SEC hierarchy.

The Rebels have shown they’re no slouches on the high school recruiting trail, but they’ve also turned into savvy shoppers in the transfer portal market. On Sunday, they added another key piece to their puzzle with the commitment of Penn State wide receiver transfer Harrison “Trey” Wallace, as reported by On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

Wallace, a 6-foot-1 playmaker, was the Nittany Lions’ go-to guy during their College Football Playoff semifinal run. His 2024 season stats speak volumes: 46 catches for 720 yards and four touchdowns, leading the team in both receptions and receiving yards. With two years of eligibility remaining, Wallace brings a blend of experience and potential to Oxford.