Buckeyes host former Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins
COLUMBUS — Ohio State is staying aggressive in the transfer portal entering another week in the early stages of the offseason.
Less than a week after adding former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard and former Alabama starting offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin, Ryan Day and his Buckeyes are still on the hunt for big-time playmakers to help the offense.
They hosted former Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins for an official visit, On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed Monday morning.
Judkins surprisingly entered the portal after another strong season with the Rebels. He ran for 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2023. He was also a weapon out of the backfield, catching 22 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns.
That came on the heels of a freshman season that put him on the radar of just about every college football fan nationally. As a true freshman, Judkins ran for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The Buckeyes are still waiting on an NFL Draft decision from star junior running back TreVeyon Henderson, who has been the starting tailback at Ohio State for the last three seasons. He has the rest of the week to decide if he wants to return to Columbus for one more year or hit the pro level a season earlier than he has to.
Henderson’s decision could have an impact on the Buckeyes and Judkins. And Judkins’ decision could do the same for Henderson. But Henderson committed to Ohio State with a fellow top-five running back in his recruiting class to make sure he didn’t have too much wear-and-tear on him before hitting the NFL.
The addition of Judkins could prove to be a good move for both backs before they get to the NFL, making sure neither take too many hits at the college level in a split backfield.
Aside from Henderson’s decision, Ohio State also has three other scholarship backs on the roster for spring practice. Third-year back Dallan Hayden is fresh off a redshirt season and has elite potential. He has a big opportunity to wow folks in spring practice.
So do freshmen backs James Peoples, a four-star player from San Antonio, Texas, and local back Sam Williams-Dixon, who starred at Pickerington North before signing with Ohio State last month. Both backs are on campus now to begin their Buckeyes careers early.
Even with plenty of talent in the running back room, Ohio State is working to add an elite back to the fold for a national title run in 2024. Quinshon Judkins could be another piece of that.
His visit to Ohio State this weekend shows plenty of interest in making it happen from both sides.
