By Mark Pszonak
In today’s Fact or Fiction – Portal Edition – I look at three more transfers, what they might accomplish this season, and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or FICTION.
1. Quinshon Judkins made the right decision transferring to Ohio State
Mark’s take: FACT
I’ve flip-flopped on this one a few times, but I’ve convinced myself that this in fact was the correct and smart decision. Yes, his decision was helped due to NIL money, even though the numbers being thrown around were greatly exaggerated, which is the norm nowadays. But aside from the money, this move helps lengthen Quinshon Judkins’ career in the NFL. He has been a workhorse through his first two seasons at Ole Miss and once again would be in 2024. He has already proven his talents and will be on every NFL teams’ radar for the 2025 Draft, so now he can split his carries with TreVeyon Henderson while still being in the national spotlight on a weekly basis. A running back’s time to be successful and make more money in the NFL is limited, so saving at least 100 carries this season will pay off for Judkins in the future.
2. QB Aidan Chiles will be one of the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten this season
Mark’s take: FICTION
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Aidan Chiles oozes confidence, which isn’t a bad quality for a quarterback, however, expectations from the fanbase in East Lansing seem to be growing by the minute as we near the season. And those expectations are setting Chiles up for disappointment in 2024. Yes, he did look impressive during his limited garbage time at Oregon State last season, but it was in garbage time. He completed 24 of 35 passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns against second and third-string defenses. He won’t have that luxury in 2024, especially during a four-game stretch in the middle of the season when the Spartans have consecutive games against Ohio State, Oregon, Iowa and Michigan. Chiles has the potential to be VERY good, but he will have to take his lumps before that happens.
3. Miami’s Damien Martinez and Cameron Ward will form the best RB/QB combo in the ACC
Mark’s take: FACT
Miami has begun most recent seasons with hype, which has gradually devolved into a mediocrity. I think this season will be different, and that is in large part to the combination of Cameron Ward and Damien Martinez. Let’s start with Ward, who passed for 6,968 yards and 48 touchdowns at Washington State after making the move from the FCS-level. His two-season yardage total would place him seventh ALL-TIME in Canes history. Now onto Martinez, who is still undervalued by many fans. That is mostly because Oregon State hardly ever received primetime attention despite their recent successes. In two seasons he rushed for 2,167 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging 6.1 yards per carry. While the Canes have had notable running back talent recently, they haven’t matched them up with a quarterback as talented as Ward. Now they did and together they’re the best combo in the ACC this season.
