Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins has developed a bit of a cult following among the sports video game community that regularly consumes EA Sports College Football 25.
Judkins’ platinum spin move in the game is almost a cheat code, so much so that the Players’ Lounge, an app that allows wagering on video games, banned players from selecting Ohio State as their team in EA Sports College Football 25 unless both parties agree to it beforehand.
Some OSU players who regularly play the game in the team’s locker room have even tried to implement a loose ban on using Judkins in friendly competition, though that isn’t apparently a hard and fast rule. Especially among his fellow running backs.
“That is insane,” freshman running back Sam Williams-Dixon said Wednesday of Judkins’ spin move in the game. “I can’t wait to see that in real life. I use him in (EA Sports College Football 25), too. Everyone else, they try to ban using him or whatever, I’m still using him.”
In fact, it seems Judkins himself is the last one to actually get in on the virtual fun. Judkins played EA Sports College Football 25 for the very first time in Ohio State’s locker room on Tuesday. But he couldn’t figure out how to utilize his own spin move.
1. Quinshon Judkins
— akaElectro (@akaelectroo) July 23, 2024
Straight up the ability 360 needs patched. Judkins is one of the only players with platinum 360 ability in the whole game. He is practically unstoppable with it. Until then though he is one of the most OP/Cheesy players Ive seen. pic.twitter.com/uNrK4c8CfO
“Everybody else knows how to use it, but I don’t,” Judkins said with a laugh. … “I’ve heard about it from all my teammates. They’re like bro, I use you every day and all types of stuff. It’s been fun.”
Judkins is the second-highest-rated running back in the game with an overall rating of 95 (out of 99), yet somehow his spin move rating is only a 93 despite its effectiveness. The former Ole Miss running back was pleased with how his virtual character is represented, though.
“In real life, I’d say it’s almost like the game,” Judkins said of his spin move. “It’s pretty close. I’ve been doing that since I’ve grown up. I haven’t just recently started playing football, so it’s always been in the bag.”
Judkins came to Ohio State as a two-time All-SEC honoree after two prolific seasons with the Rebels. He ran for 1,565 yards and 16 touchdowns as a true freshman at Ole Miss and followed that up with 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns in his second season as a Rebel. He was arguably the best transfer running back on the market and OSU felt he and TreVeyon Henderson would make a deadly one-two combo.
“He’s such a great back, man, and so talented,” Henderson said of Judkins Wednesday. “He’s gonna be a huge part of this offense and helping us win games.”
Judkins made a huge impression on OSU in the spring, as he shed his black stripe following the Buckeyes’ sixth practice. His momentum has translated into the fall, as he’s been a standout performer in the early portion of OSU’s preseason camp practices.
“As I tell him all the time, the staying speed when he runs (keeps getting better),” OSU running backs coach Carlos Locklyn said. “He’s such a powerful runner. He knows the things he needs to work on, as far as his pad leverage. But like I said he’s very gifted. The thing I’ve seen him get better at the most is he’s a sponge. He’s taking in everything, great attitude. He has a growth mindset and can take my coaching because I’m barking at him every day.”
Judkins had 274 carries his freshman year and 271 carries as a sophomore, but it’s likely he’ll have less in Ohio State’s offense when he’ll have Henderson to complement his skillset as a fellow backfield mate. He said he’s not focused on how often he’ll touch the ball, but is determined to help the team win a championship in the fall.
“My job is to come in and run the football and be the best teammate I can be to my teammates and support my team overall,” Judkins said. “I don’t really focus on how many carries I get or things like that.”
