One of the SEC’s best running backs from the past two seasons is headed to Ohio State.
Just moments after Michigan won the national championship on Monday night, Ohio State got some good news to soften the blow from two-time All-SEC running back Quinshon Judkins, who announced his transfer from Ole Miss to the Buckeyes.
Isaiah 40:31: "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint." pic.twitter.com/J89kRzsmBQ
— Quinshon Judkins (@qaj4_) January 9, 2024
It’s a major addition for Ohio State’s offense as Judkins ran for 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns in just two seasons at Ole Miss.
Judkins brings two years of eligibility to Ohio State, though he’ll be a candidate to enter the 2025 NFL draft if he plays as well in 2024 as he did in his two years with the Rebels.
The Judkins File
- Year: Junior
- Size: 5-11/210
- Pos: RB
- Previous School: Ole Miss (2022-23)
- Stats: 545 carries for 2,725 yards and 31 TD; 37 catches for 281 yards and 3 TD
The Alabama native earned All-SEC honors in both 2022 and 2023. He led the entire SEC in rushing as a true freshman in 2022, earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors after running for 1,565 yards and 16 touchdowns on 274 carries. He rushed for 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns on 271 carries as a sophomore, becoming the first SEC player since Georgia legend Herschel Walker to score 15 touchdowns in both of his first two collegiate seasons.
Judkins added 37 catches for 281 yards and three receiving touchdowns across his two seasons in Oxford.
His statistics against SEC competition might speak for themselves, but Judkins’ film is equally impressive. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound running back demonstrates excellent balance to keep runs going through contact; per Pro Football Focus, he forced the fifth-most missed tackles (78) of any FBS running back in 2023. He also possesses plenty of speed and cutting ability, as evidenced by his 25 runs of 20-plus yards over the past two years.
Judkins was originally a three-star recruit in the class of 2022, but is rated by 247Sports as the fourth-best overall player and No. 1 running back to enter the transfer portal this offseason.
Even with the addition of Judkins, Ohio State remains optimistic that TreVeyon Henderson will stay for his senior season. If Henderson stays, Ohio State would enter 2024 with what could be the best running back tandem in college football.
If Henderson enters the 2024 NFL draft, Judkins would become Ohio State’s clear feature back for the 2024 season after Chip Trayanum, Miyan Williams and Evan Pryor also departed the program. Dallan Hayden is likely to be Ohio State’s No. 2 running back if Henderson leaves or the Buckeyes’ No. 3 running back if Henderson stays.
Judkins is Ohio State’s fourth transfer addition – all on the offensive side of the ball – since the end of the season. He joins former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin and former Ohio tight end Will Kacmarek as 2024 transfer additions for the Buckeyes.
He becomes the third former Ole Miss player in two years to transfer to Ohio State. Former Ole Miss cornerback Davison Igbinosun and defensive tackle Tywone Malone both transferred to Ohio State last offseason; both former Rebels are back with the Buckeyes this season after Igbinosun started all 13 games at cornerback this past season while Malone served as a backup defensive tackle.
