Ole Miss running back Matt Jones will enter the portal, intends ‘to finish this season strong’ with teammates in Gator Bowl
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss running back Matt Jones took to social media Wednesday to announce his intent to enter the transfer portal — and to finish out the season and play in the Gator Bowl with his Rebel teammates.
Thank you Oxford ! 💙 pic.twitter.com/Npvqm3ygI3
— Matt Jones (@d1matt5) December 18, 2024
“Dear Rebel Nation, Thank you for all you have done for me and my family these past four years! Words cannot describe how thankful I am to have been part of this community and program. To Coach (Kevin) Smith and Coach (Lane) Kiffin, thank you for your guidance and for providing me with this opportunity. I will finish this season strong with my brothers. With that being said, I will be entering the NCAA transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining! Thank you and Hotty Toddy forever!”
Matt Jones
RELATED: Visit our TRANSFER PORTAL TRACKER to stay up to date on all the latest Rebel comings and goings.
Jones began his tenure with the Rebels as a walk-on but later earned a scholarship as much for his attitude as for his ability. He moved into the number-two spot in the running back room, behind Henry Parrish, Jr. and ahead of Ulysses Bentley IV.
The former Jackson (Miss.) Prep player suffered an ankle injury in the Rebels’ game on the road at South Carolina, thus effectively ending his regular-season play. He did play in seven games for Ole Miss, notching 226 yards and three touchdowns on 44 carries.
He also made three receptions for 13 yards.
Jones is the 10th Ole Miss player to hit the transfer portal.
Up Next
Ole Miss travels to Jacksonville, Florida to take on the Duke Blue Devils in the 2025 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Jan. 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT and the game will be televised on ESPN.
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.
