Ole Miss Rebels 2024 Hype Resides in Hands Of Quinshon Judkins and Jaxson Dart
As Ole Miss players embraced in the middle of the turf at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a sense grew around the program.
This 11-win season isn't the end of the story, but rather the start of the next chapter, one filled with conversations on a conference title and College Football Playoff berth.
A national title? It wouldn't be far-fetched when looking at what's arriving in Oxford next month via the transfer portal.
Of course, all that hangs in the balance of two player's verdict.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Quinshon Judkins offered little insight on whether they'll return in 2024. Dart is draft-eligible and could elect to go pro. Judkins, who capped off another 1,000-yard campaign with a 106-yard outing against No. 10 Penn State in the Peach Bowl, could look toward the transfer portal for more NIL opportunities.
Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart evades a sack against a Penn State defender in the Peach Bowl.
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Their decisions could determine how big of a boom the Rebels make in the offseason when looking to build off a record-setting season.
While Ole Miss returns offensive star power, Dart and Judkins are game-changers. The junior quarterback dazzled in wins over LSU, Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Penn State through the air. Judkins was consistently picking up yards inside the red zone.
The two outcomes would lead to exponential preseason hype heading into spring practice. Ole Miss offense totaled 540 yards and five touchdowns in a 38-25 win over the Nittany Lions Saturday morning in Atlanta, Ga., and most of the star power has already announced their intent to return.
Caden Prieskorn, who totaled 10 catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns, announced he'd be returning. Tre Harris, Ole Miss' No. 1 target who racked up 134 yards, is also returning for Round 2.
Three of the five starting offensive linemen are slated to return, and while protection wasn't perfect, Dart and Judkins still made waves through the air and on the ground. Another year in the system could do wonders for team chemistry.
For Dart, who finished with 379 yards and four touchdowns, returning could boost his draft stock tremendously. Harris, Prieskorn, and Jordan Watkins are all returning, but the Rebels added South Carolina receiver Juice Wells, who should fill the void left by Dayton Wade.
Defensively, Ole Miss is looking to contend alongside Alabama and Georgia. Ten transfers have committed to the Sip for 2024, including No. 1 pass-rusher Princeley Umanmielen (Florida), linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (Arkansas), cornerback Decamerion Richardson (Mississippi State) and top transfer Walter Nolen (Texas A&M).
"I really do believe we're just getting started," said Lane Kiffin postgame. "I think that we're doing something – we're on our way to something really special."
For special to become possible, Dart and Judkins must stay. Initially, Kiffin said Dart planned on returning before the bowl game but later mentioned he "spoke too soon" on the matter.
Judkins, a former three-star from Pike Road, Ala., has been one of college football's most consistent playmakers, but he might put out feelers just to see his options.
Harris said he's been "on their backs" trying to recruit them to come back and plans to close the deal before the draft or transfer portal window closes. Should the duo return, the Rebels would retain over 80 percent of their starting offense and should garner top-10 preseason buzz from the polls.
While the Rebels should close out the 2023 season inside the AP's Top 10 for the second time since 1969, it's all about looking toward the future. More top 10 finishes seem to be in reach.
But No. 2 and No. 4 are why reaching No. 1 at the season's end is achievable, and their decision will decide how large the hype train reaches.
