Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss pick up commitment from standout New Mexico transfer running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss football has strengthened its running back room with the addition of New Mexico transfer running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt.

Croskey-Merritt, who had previously committed to Arizona back in February, announced his commitment to the Rebels Friday afternoon on X (formerly known as Twitter). 

I got a purpose .. why not me? 🦈💙@OleMissFB @_kbolden @Lane_Kiffin @Enrique__Davis pic.twitter.com/Q62S7Pm8IO

— Jacory Merritt (@JacoryMerritt15) April 19, 2024

Last season, Croskey-Merritt led New Mexico as he rushed for 1,190 yards in 12 games on 189 carries with 17 rushing touchdowns. He also added seven receptions for 72 yards and a receiving touchdown. 

The Montgomery, Ala. native was named Second Team All-Mountain West. 

His performance for the Lobos was one of the team’s best in school history. His 1,190 rushing yards marked the seventh-most in UNM history, and his 17 rushing touchdowns were third all-time. His 18 overall touchdowns was tied for second at the school, and his 108 points were fourth on the UNM single-season scoring chart.

Croskey-Merritt finished last season by tallying 209 yards rushing and two touchdowns against Fresno State, followed by 233 yards and another touchdown against Utah State. That made him the first New Mexico player in program history to have two 200-yard rushing games in the same season.

Ole Miss has landed a commitment from former New Mexico standout running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt.

He ran for 1,190 yards and ranked fifth nationally with 17 touchdown runs last season. Had been committed to Arizona but is instead now headed to Oxford.… pic.twitter.com/ZhCBmA7tAh

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 19, 2024

Before he arrived at New Mexico, he rushed for 1,164 yards and 13 touchdowns over his 31 career games.

Ole Miss finished last season 11-2 overall, 6-2 in the Southeastern Conference. The 11 wins are the best in school history for the Rebels, and they look to continue that success with the advent of the 12-team playoffs this coming season.

With the departure of Quinshon Judkins to Ohio State, the Rebels’ running back room will have returnees Ulysses Bentley IV, sophomore Kedrick Reescano, as well as LSU transfer Logan Diggs, who is recovering from an injury, as the mainstays. But it’s no secret head coach Lane Kiffin and staff wanted to pick up one, if not two, backs in the portal. They’ve definitely picked up a very strong player in Croskey-Merritt.

Evelyn Van Pelt

Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn’s love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.