Ole Miss RB Akeem Judd is ready for Ole Miss' running game to play a bigger role this fall.
On if his mindset changed with Jordan Willkins out:
“I've pretty much still had the same mindset I had at the beginning of the season. It's unfortunate that one of our brothers had to go down like that. My role on the team has expanded a little bit.”
On if his redshirt season was beneficial:
“It was pretty beneficial. It worked out for the better. I look at it as a positive. If I had left last year, I wouldn't be able to play against Florida State and do great things like that. It benefited me well. It's a great deal.”
On Eric Swinney:
“Swinney’s real good. He's going to be a great player. He's a hard-nosed runner and runs straight downhill right into you. The type of stuff that a lot of coaches look for in a running back, he has it.”
On if his preparation has changed since Wilkins’ ruling:
“I took a big approach in the spring and offseason, period, even if Jordan was going to be here. I just worked hard in the offseason, worked hard in the spring and just did a lot of things I didn't do. Watched more film and stuff like that.”
On if the run game will be different this year without scatbacks:
“It's going to be different in that aspect as far as me being a bigger back and a lot of other guys being a bigger back, but as far as the plan, I'm not sure. I think we're going to run the ball a little bit more.”
On his impressions of the offensive line:
“They look pretty good. A lot of open holes. It's a lot of clear alleys to run through. I think the offensive line is going great. Of course you're missing (Laremy Tunsil), Fahn (Cooper) and those guys, but those guys have pretty much stepped up to the plate. They're not going to be L.T., but Jordan Sims and those guys, they've been working hard. Those guys are trying to fill the shoes pretty well.”
On if the offensive line is more in sync than last year at this point:
“In a way. As far as gelling together as a unit, yeah, I think so because they do a lot of stuff off the field together from what I see. I seen a couple of them together (last year), but these guys, all of them are always together. That's a good thing.”
On D’Vaughn Pennamon:
“He's a good running back, too. He's just young, and it's a big difference coming from high school to the SEC. He's a great running back though. He's got some potential to be a superstar.”
On if he expects the running game to be better in short-yardage situations:
“Most definitely. Every back we have now can get us an extra yard if we need it. I think it's going to benefit well.”
