After a Saturday visit to Ole Miss, 2026 Pike Road (Ala.) running back Ja’Michael Jones committed to Ole Miss on Sunday. Jones is from the same high school that produced former Ole Miss and current Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins.
The 5-11, 185-pounder is a three-star prospect rated as America’s No. 32 running back and the No. 20 player in the state ofr Alabama’s 2026 class by 247Sports. In the industry-generated 247Sports Composite index, he comes in as the country’s No. 35 running back, the No. 21 player from Alabama and No. 494 nationally.
Jones chose Ole Miss over offers from SEC programs Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M, as well as Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, Florida State, Louisville, Memphis, USC, West Virginia and others.
Jones discussed Quinshon Judkins’ path at Ole Miss in a previous interview with Inside the Rebels.
“What (Quinshon) did (at Ole Miss)was amazing for him being a freshman and sophomore,” Jones told Inside the Rebels. “Knowing that was his first two seasons in college football, that’s something really amazing. Not many people get to do that.
With Judkins and Jones both hailing from the same high school program, does that leave any negative connotations in Jones’ mind about Ole Miss?
“No, it doesn’t,” he answered. “I mean some people have their preferences. I don’t know the reasons why he left, but I’m pretty sure it was a good reason.”
He also offered some inside from his recruitment from Ole Miss running backs coach Kevin Smith.
“Kevin Smith was the first person to give me an offer. Ever since then, me and him have always had a good relationship. He always keeps it real with you. He’s really up-straight and honest with you,” said Jones.
ANY SIMILARITIES TO JUDKINS?
Of course, we asked Jones to compare himself to Judkins.
Jones compare his running style to Judkins?
“We both run the ball really hard. We’re just probably natural at it. I would say the difference in mine and his game is that he doesn’t put his shoulder pads down as much as me. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing on him…it’s just a bad thing on me. I’ve gotten into a bad habit of putting my shoulders down a lot. That’s something I’ve been working on this off-season. Next season I’m working on improvement, getting up to the second level and making the secondary miss a lot,” said Jones.
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