Quinshon Judkins picked up a noteworthy award in the state of Mississippi on Tuesday night when the Ole Miss running back won the Conerly Trophy, and beat out Mississippi State’s Emmanuel Forbes.

After a record-breaking freshman campaign, Judkins was named the winner by the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. The award is named after College Football Hall of Famer and Ole Miss legend Charlie Conerly, and was first conferred in 1996. The trophy has now been awarded to an Ole Miss player 11 times, the most by any school, including the last 3 given to the most outstanding college football player in Mississippi.

Judkins, a semifinalist for Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year, set the Ole Miss single-season record in both rushing yards (1,476) and rushing touchdowns (16). Besides rushing yards and TDs, Judkins also leads the SEC and ranks top 10 nationally in total touchdowns (17) and rushing yards per game (123.0).

Mississippi State’s nominee was Forbes, and as Mike Leach noted, “I have great respect for the other finalists, but they didn’t rewrite the record books like Emmanuel Forbes. He is the ultimate competitor. One of the greatest players I’ve ever coached.”

CONERLY TROPHY WINNERS
2022 – Quinshon Judkins, RB – Ole Miss
2021 – Matt Corral, QB – Ole Miss
2020 – Elijah Moore, WR – Ole Miss
2019 – Kylin Hill, RB – Mississippi State
2018 – Jeffery Simmons, DL – Mississippi State
2017 – A.J. Brown, WR – Ole Miss
2016 – Evan Engram, TE – Ole Miss
2015 – Dak Prescott, QB – Mississippi State
2014 – Dak Prescott, QB – Mississippi State
2013 – Gabe Jackson, OL – Mississippi State
2012 – Bo Wallace, QB – Ole Miss
2011 – Austin Davis, QB – Southern Miss
2010 – Chris White, LB – Mississippi State
2009 – Anthony Dixon, RB – Mississippi State
2008 – Juan Joseph, QB – Millsaps
2007 – Damion Fletcher, RB – Southern Miss
2006 – Patrick Willis, LB – Ole Miss
2005 – Jerious Norwood, RB – Mississippi State
2004 – Michael Boley, LB – Southern Miss
2003 – Eli Manning, QB – Ole Miss
2002 – Rod Davis, LB – Southern Miss
2001 – Eli Manning, QB – Ole Miss
2000 – Josh Bright, QB – Delta State
1999 – Deuce McAllister, RB – Ole Miss
1998 – J.J. Johnson, RB – Mississippi State
1997 – Stewart Patridge, QB – Ole Miss
1996 – Tregnel Thomas, RB – Delta State