Jordan Wilkins Ruled Academically Ineligible

Ole Miss running back Jordan Wilkins will miss the entire 2016 season, as he was ruled academically ineligible by the NCAA Clearinghouse this morning. Wilkins was competing with Akeem Judd for the starting job this season. Hugh Freeze was evidently very encouraged by the performances of Wilkins and Judd. He said:

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"“He’s good at everything, the protections, the routes, the running. So is Akeem. I thought both of them came on at the end of last year and really did some nice things. I’m comfortable with that position. We’re deep enough there and good enough. That won’t be a reason we’re not a competitive football team.”"

Last year Wilkins rushed 72 times for 379 yards and four touchdowns. While I personally believe Judd would have won the competition anyway, this will hurt Ole Miss’s depth. When Judd needs a break who will Hugh Freeze turn to?

The candidates include Eric Swinney, Eugene Brazley, D.K. Buford, and true freshman D’Vaughn Pennamon. Ole Miss will likely need at least one of them to step up and provide some quality carries. Akeem Judd can’t carry the load all by himself.

Eric Swinney seems like the most likely choice. He missed all of last season with a broken leg. Swinney is short but thick, at 5’9″ 210 pounds. He split 1st-team reps with Judd and Wilkins all through spring practice and performed well. It will be interesting to see what he is capable of against SEC competition.