Sometimes the grass isn’t greener on the other side.
Several reports indicate that Miami (Fla.) running back and former Rebel Henry Parrish, Jr. has decided to join the transfer portal. Ole Miss, where Parrish began his career, may be an effective advocate for his services.
Parrish left Oxford two seasons ago, splitting time at running back alongside Jerrion Ealy and Snoop Conner. Both of these players have graduated, and Ole Miss saw Quinshon Judkins move to Ohio State following the Rebels’ Peach Bowl victory against Penn State.
While Ulysses Bentley IV is the front-runner to take over the starting backfield role, the Ole Miss running back room may use some more depth. Sophomore Kedrick Reescano returns for the Rebels, and LSU transfer Logan Diggs joins them.
“If you guys look out there and look at our running back position, just like you would in the NFL, you’re going to attack free agency at that spot. It is what it is.”
While at Ole Miss, Parrish’s running back coach was Kevin Smith. When Smith took the same position at Miami in 2021, Parrish followed his position coach to Coral Gables. Last season, however, Smith returned to Ole Miss, so it might be tempting for Parrish to want to end his college career under the tutelage of a familiar face.
At Miami, Parrish started ten games in two seasons, rushing for 1,241 yards and ten touchdowns.
Although he prepped at Miami’s Christopher Columbus High School, Parrish’s college experience in Dade County may not have lived up to his expectations. The Hurricanes finished with a 12-13 record in his time there, reaching the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl where they fell to Rutgers, 31-24.
The Canes did play before big crowds at home, but Hard Rock Stadium has a capacity of nearly 65,000 and the team has never come close to selling out.
In contrast, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium has become a true home-field advantage for Ole Miss.
If Parrish decides to return to his collegiate roots, it may be beneficial for all parties. Parrish would end his career on a preseason top-10 team with a legitimate shot at the 12-team college football postseason, and the Rebels’ running back room would get much-needed depth.
