Akeem Judd runs for the touchdown in last Saturday’s game against Auburn. (Photo by: Logan Kirkland)
Sophomore running back Akeem Judd knew going into spring practice that he’d have a bigger role on Ole Miss’ football team this year. He got his chance a year ago and hit his stride at the end of 2015. With Jaylen Walton graduating, it became clear that Judd and Jordan Wilkins would be called upon to shoulder much of the workload on the ground for the Rebels.
He’ll be asked to shoulder a little bit more after Wilkins was declared academically ineligible on Aug. 17.
“I pretty much still have the same mindset that I had at the beginning of the season,” Judd said. “It’s unfortunate that one of our brothers had to go down like this, but my role on the team has expanded a little bit.”
Judd said he hopes that he and freshman Eric Swinney will add power in a run game that will look a little bit different than it has in years past.
Judd is 5 feet 11 inches, 228 pounds and Swinney stands at 5 feet 9 inches, 210 pounds. Both running backs boast heavier frames than Walton, who was shifty and played like more of a scatback.
“It’s going to be different in that aspect as far as me being a bigger back and a lot of other guys being bigger backs,” Judd said. “But as far the plan, I’m not sure. I think we’re going to run the ball a bit more.”
Akeem Judd gains yards for the rebels. (PHOTO BY: ARIEL COBBERT)
Swinney redshirted in 2015, but Judd said he thinks he’s ready to contribute and will add a lot of physicality to the run game.
“Swinney is real good,” Judd said. “He’s going to be a great player. He’s a hard-nose runner, runs straight downhill right into you, the type of stuff that coaches look for in a running back.”
Ole Miss has struggled in short-yardage situations during Hugh Freeze’s tenure. Often times Freeze has had to put offensive and defensive linemen in the backfield to help move a push at the line of scrimmage.
“I don’t know if that’s something we’re going to do or not,” Freeze said. “We’ll see early on how we’re doing with our short-yardage stuff. We’re confident. We have bigger backs. We’re working harder on our plan.”
Judd also said he believes the Rebels will be better in those situations this year.
“Every back we have now can get us an extra yard if we need it, so I think that’s going to benefit us,” Judd said.
The loss of Wilkins hurt the Rebels’ depth, and outside of Judd, there is very little experience in the backfield. Eugene Brazley has 48 career carries, and D’Vaughn Pennamon is a true freshman.
Akeem Judd celebrates after a touchdown. (Photo by|Logan Kirkland)
Ideally, Freeze would like to redshirt Pennamon this fall, but with the absence of Wilkins, he may be called upon earlier than anticipated.
“He’s good running back too. He’s just young,” Judd said about Pennamon. “There’s a big difference coming from high school to the SEC. He’s a great running back though – he’s got potential to be a superstar.”
It starts with Judd, though. He’s the most experienced back on the roster. He waited for his chance, going to junior college and then redshirting his first year at Ole Miss. But his opportunity has arrived, and he thinks the waiting was well worth it
“It (redshirting) was pretty beneficial. It worked out for the better,” Judd said. “I look at it as a positive. If I would have left last year I wouldn’t be able to play Florida State and do great things like that. It benefitted me well.”
