Ole Miss snagged a nice pickup via the NCAA Transfer Portal when former SMU running back Ulysses Bentley committed, giving the Rebels a great option alongside TCU transfer Zach Evans to step in for NFL-bound Jerrion Ealy and Snoop Conner.
Bentley enrolled in Oxford in time for spring football and made some plays during Saturday’s Grove Bowl, giving Ole Miss a look at what it has in the veteran tailback. During the SEC Network broadcast, coach Lane Kiffin spoke with Tom Hart about Bentley and whether he could give Ole Miss similar production to what Ealy did last year.
“I would like that,” Kiffin said. “I think they’re a little bit different. He’s probably a little bit more like Snoop, where Ealy is super long speed, which is really Zach has got more of a track long speed background. So I think between all of them, we will be really good.”
Bentley ran for 610 yards on 96 carries (6.2 average) and four touchdowns last season for SMU and had a big season in 2020, nearly reaching the 1,000 yard mark while also producing as a receiver out of the backfield. Ole Miss should have a deep, talented group of running backs to help an offense the will be led by one of two sophomores: USC transfer Jaxson Dart, or Luke Altmyer. Bentley made multiple nice plays on Saturday, including a long reception during which he weaved through the defense to get close to the goal line.
