Quinshon Judkins is expected to team with Ohio State senior TreVeyon Henderson to form the best running back duo in the country.
Judkins transferred from Ole Miss, where he rushed for 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns on 545 carries in two seasons at the Southeastern Conference school.
“I think I run hard, very elusive, fast,” he said. “I can out-run people. I can run you down. I can catch.”
Here are three things to know about Judkins as the Buckeyes prepare for their 2024 season:
Judkins commits to OSU in dark times
On January 8, at 11:11 p.m., Michigan’s victory over Washington in the College Football Playoff championship game ended.
Two minutes later, Judkins posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he was transferring from Mississippi to Ohio State. In what was a depressing moment for Buckeye fans, Judkins found something to smile about.
Why this special time?
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“I think it was at that exact moment that I thought, ‘Let’s make it happen, especially when the team won up north,'” Judkins said Tuesday. “I thought, ‘This is where I want to be. I’m going to get it out there.'”
Judkins and Henderson were no strangers
Judkins said he knew Henderson from their time as recruits.
“We always stayed in touch and supported each other throughout our college careers,” Judkins said. “When I decided to come here, he was very excited.”
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He said he would be happy to share the workload with Henderson, and believes his NFL value will increase because his body won’t be put under as much strain.
“It definitely plays a role, especially in today’s game with the lifespan of running backs in the NFL,” he said.
Dissipate the heat
When a star running back enters the transfer portal, the outcry from the departing team’s fans can be intense, as was the case with Judkins when he decided to leave Ole Miss.
“It was crazy,” Judkins said. “A lot of different things. A lot of different emotions. But it’s a business. You understand that people aren’t always going to be happy with the decision you make if it’s the best thing for you.”
For him it was Ohio State.
“I did great things at Ole Miss,” Judkins said. “I learned a lot. But I think in my third year, I want to be at a place like Ohio State, with great culture, great teammates, great coaches, the best players and the best fan base.”
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This article originally appeared in the Columbus Dispatch: Three things you should know about Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins
