Ohio State's running back room is arguably the best in America. Yet, it's arguably the thinnest room on Ohio State's roster.
TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins are preseason candidates for the Doak Walker Award. Behind them are James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon, two freshmen who have flashed their potential at the start of preseason practices.
Ohio State running backs coach Carlos Locklyn discussed his room Wednesday and expressed confidence that Henderson, Judkins, Peoples and Williams-Dixon can complete the tasks required for the Buckeyes to accomplish their goals in 2024. At the same time, those four players looked ahead to what could be a season full of many carries, yards and touchdowns for the Buckeye ballcarriers.
Carlos Locklyn
“I tell coaches all the time, if your player is playing soft, missing assignments, that’s on you. When coach Day says something about the backs, I take it personally. Why? Because that’s on me. Don’t yell at the kid, get on me. Because it’s my job to fix it.”– Carlos Locklyn on his mindset toward preparing his players
- Locklyn said he’s confident James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon could play in a big spot if they had to because he’s confident in his ability as a coach to prepare them for that moment.
- Locklyn said he’s impressed with Quinshon Judkins’ staying speed when he runs and called him a powerful runner. He’d like to see his pad leverage improve in the coming weeks.
- Locklyn said Ryan Day and Chip Kelly have told Ohio State’s quarterbacks to not be afraid to check down to the running backs if necessary and that he expects the running backs to be involved in the Ohio State passing game.
- Locklyn says Ohio State’s running backs feed off each other and push one another to compete to be the best running backs in the country.
TreVeyon Henderson
“It's gonna be a long season, A lot more wear and tear. Being able to share that load with quinshon – he’s such a great back. HE’s so talented, man. He’s gonna be a huge part of this offense and this team, helping us win games.”– TreVeyon Henderson on sharing the backfield with Quinshon Judkins
- Henderson said he’s seen “a lot of growth” in Ohio State’s offensive line this offseason. “Those guys are getting better each and every day. They’re coming in with a great mindset. ... That’s gonna play a huge role on the field.”
- Henderson said Chip Kelly has "opened up my eyes a lot offensively." Henderson added that Kelly is "helping all of our games get better" as he installs more of his offense at Ohio State. "He's a great coach with a great mindset. He wants perfection. He wants to be sharp. He's definitely demanding."
- Henderson said he loves working with Coach Locklyn. "I am so thankful that God has brought him here. He's such a huge part of this room and this team. He brings so much energy and compassion. I'm so thankful to have Coach Lock here."
Quinshon Judkins
“My job is to come in and run the football and be the best teammate i can be and support my team overall. i don't really focus on how many carries i get or things like that. i just come in and do my job.”– Quinshon Judkins on splitting carries with treveyon Henderson
- Judkins on Ohio State’s offensive line: “Overall, each guy is super skilled. They’re experienced. They know what they're doing up front. Pretty good.”
- Like Henderson, Judkins praised Kelly for his innovative offensive mind. "All of our coaches will put us in the best positions to succeed on the field. With Chip Kelly and all the offenses he's run in the past, he's able to dial up different things not using only one running back but also two as well. It's awesome to see."
- Judkins said Peoples and Williams-Dixon have been great additions to Ohio State's running back room. "Me and Trey's job is really to help them keep their confidence up and let them know, 'It's OK to make mistakes. Come out every day and continue to improve your game.' I think we've seen that from them."
- Judkins said he has played as himself one time in EA Sports College Football 25. He said he's still trying to work on the timing of his "Platinum Spin Move" in the game, which social media and his Ohio State teammates have said is "broken."
James Peoples
“You've got a coach that can pull the best out of you and knows what he's doing, knows what he's talking about. You ain't got no option but to really get better.”– James Peoples on carlos locklyn
- On his confidence if he were called upon in a big spot: “Right now I feel very confident because of the intensity of practice that we've been through, with Coach Lock and how much they enforce and push us past our limit. I feel like if they call my number, I'll definitely be ready.”
- On what he’s learning from TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins: “I'm soaking up a lot from these guys. Guys that have been in the system or have been in college football for a very long time, you sit back and watch how intentional they are about how they go about their business or taking little things from their game or how they prepare. I've been able to sit back and take a lot from them.”
- On where he’s grown the most since the spring: “I'd just say my understanding of everything that's going on on the field and how I fit into certain plays and schemes.”
- On what he brings to the table at running back: “Apart from just the person I am, I say I bring an edge to the game. I'm very competitive. I'm going to run hard every play. You ask my teammates, I run hard every play. I put my best foot forward and I’m just really a hard worker, so I bring that.”
Sam Williams-Dixon
“When Dallan left, I was like me and James got this for real. We got this, and we’re going to go do what we do.”– Sam Williams-Dixon on moving up the depth chart after Dallan Hayden’s departure
- Williams-Dixon said he feels “very confident” in his ability to play right now. “I can take the meeting to the field any day.” He said it gives him confidence that Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson have confidence in him.
- Williams-Dixon believes he is “tremendously way better” at pass protection than he was when he arrived at Ohio State in January. He says that’s been a “crucial” area he’s had to improve in.
- Williams-Dixon said playing in front of 80,000 fans in Ohio State’s spring game was “crazy” and “electric.” The Pickerington North product said he received text messages from people he hadn’t heard from in years after running for a touchdown in that game.
- On Henderson and Judkins: “Those are the best running backs I’ve ever seen in my life.”
- On Judkins’ spin move in EA Sports College Football 25: “That is insane. I can’t wait to see that in real life.”
