By Tony Thomas
Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels flipped an all-conference running back from the transfer portal. Minnesota brings a native son home. Arkansas fills a position of need, and the Aggies of Texas A&M land a potential starter on the offensive line.
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Ole Miss Rebels (from New Mexico)
5’11”, 204 lbs.
In 2023, Jacory Croskey-Merritt rushed for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns, and averaged a robust 6.30 yards per carry, on his way to earning 2nd Team All-Mountain West Conference honors. Croskey-Merritt recorded four games of over 100 yards rushing, including 200+ yards in each of his final two games.
Your newest Ole Miss Running Back, Jacory Croskey-Merritt 🔥pic.twitter.com/k09OsRWutG
— Everything Ole Miss (@EverythingRebs) April 19, 2024
In a 3-point loss to Utah State, Croskey-Merritt rushed for a season-high 233 yards and a TD. In six games last season, Croskey-Merritt scored multiple rushing touchdowns, including three in week 2 vs Tennessee Tech.
Croskey-Merritt fills the huge crater left behind at midfield of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium by the unexpected departure of RB Quinshon Judkins to the Ohio State Buckeyes. He originally committed to Arizona in the winter portal window but quickly moved on.
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Edge Jaxon Howard
Minnesota Golden Gophers (from LSU)
6’4”, 240 lbs.
Jaxon Howard played in five games for LSU last season as a true freshman, making two tackles and one QB hurry. Howard was the #1 player in the State of Minnesota coming out of high school and was ranked in the Top 20 at his position, according to 247 Sports Composite.
BREAKING: LSU transfer EDGE Jaxon Howard (@11JaxonHoward) has committed to the #Gophers.
A former top-150 high school prospect, he will be one of the most highly-touted players to wear the Maroon & Gold. https://t.co/dF10SyRkPj pic.twitter.com/PWm6ZvrqRJ
— Tony Liebert (@TonyLiebert) April 19, 2024
RB Rodney Hill
Arkansas Razorbacks (from Florida State)
5’10, 190 lbs.
2023 saw Rodney Hill play in 12 games for the Seminoles, gaining 190 yards and scoring one touchdown (against the Duke Blue Devils). Hill’s season-high was 42 yards on eight carries (8.40-yard average) in a 31-29 win over Boston College. Hill was once committed to both Florida A&M and Miami in the first portal window but looks to have a new home.
Transfer running back Rodney Hill commits to Arkansas football: Former Florida State running back Rodney Hill committed to Arkansas on Friday. https://t.co/4BR9068zwp pic.twitter.com/dHlBpBpJGl
— Richard Davenport (@ArRecruitingGuy) April 19, 2024
C Koli Faaiu
Texas A&M Aggies (from Utah)
6’3”, 324 lbs.
The Aggies have landed a veteran in Koli Faaiu. Faaiu spent three years at Utah and started eight games last season for the Utes, and excels at pass blocking and gaining leverage at the point of attack. Look for Faaiu to compete for the starting job immediately in fall camp.
S Cedrick Hawkins
UCF Knight (from Ohio State)
6’0”, 188 lbs.
In 2023, Cedrick Hawkins did not see any action as a true freshman. The native of Titusville, FL. Is a former 4-star prospect out of high school who fell behind on the Buckeyes’ depth chart. Hawkins brings four years of collegiate eligibility to his new head coach Gus Malzahn and the Knights.
