Nothing is official, but it’s pretty exciting to imagine what OSU could do if both Henderson and Judkins were Buckeyes next fall.
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An Ohio State backfield of Henderson, Judkins would be the best in the country
Nothing is official, but it’s pretty exciting to imagine what OSU could do if both Henderson and Judkins were Buckeyes next fall.
I know that there has been a ton of consternation surrounding the Ohio State Buckeyes’ football team over the past month and a half, and things seemed to hit something approaching rock bottom at the Cotton Bowl in what would generously be considered an embarrassing performance by the team and especially the coaches. There were rumors of squandered practices and a coaching staff asleep at the wheel, but, my fellow Buckeye fans, in the immortal words of Dr. Victor Frankenstein, “It’s alive... It’s ALIIIIIIIIIIVE!”
From landing the All-Big 12 second-team quarterback in Kansas State’s Will Howard to picking up a pair of future starters in Alabama center Seth McLaughlin and Ohio tight end Will Kacmarek, things appear to be picking up. The Buckeyes also secured the commitment of the No. 1 cornerback and No. 4 player in the country in Devin Sanchez. And with rumors swirling about a bit of a staff overhaul, it seems like head coach Ryan Day is approaching this month as one that could make or break his tenure at Ohio State.
Well, over the weekend, it at least seems like the Buckeyes took one more step to reestablish their offense as a multi-faceted attack complete with top-line depth at every skill position. While nothing has been confirmed as of this writing, it appears that former Ole Miss Rebel and two-time first-team All-SEC running back Quinshon Judkins is set to transfer to Ohio State; that announcement could come at any time.
Naturally, that raises questions about the Buckeyes’ incumbent back TreVeyon Henderson, who has yet to make an announcement about whether or not he will be returning for a fourth season in Columbus, or if he will opt for the NFL Draft instead. However, Henderson had long been believed to be one of the Buckeyes planning to run it back; so, does Judkins' impending commitment mean that Henderson is on his way to the pros? Or is there a chance that Ohio State could be on the verge of securing the best backfield in the country as they head into the first season of the expanded College Football Playoff?
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The former Ole Miss star and top portal running back didn't let Ohio State's top rival enjoy the moment
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Quinshon Judkins commits to Ohio State after Michigan wins College Football Playoff National Championship
The former Ole Miss star and top portal running back didn't let Ohio State's top rival enjoy the moment
Former Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins is transferring to Ohio State, he revealed via social media Monday evening just moments after Michigan -- the Buckeyes' top rival -- capped its 2023 season with a 34-13 win against Washington in the College Football Playoff National Championship. Judkins even took aim at the Wolverines in his announcement.
"I'm looking forward to being a part of a winning culture and helping do my part to beat the TUN (Michigan) bring a Big 10 Championship and National Championship to Columbus," Judkins wrote. "The RB brotherhood at Ohio State is incredibly special and I am grateful to have an opportunity to be a part of that."
Judkins, the No. 1 running back and No. 4 overall prospect in 247Sports' transfer rankings, is a big get at a position of need for Ohio State. A rising junior, he is fresh off his second straight 1,000-yard season with the Rebels, finishing the 2023 campaign with 271 carries for 1,158 yards and SEC-best 15 touchdowns. Judkins leaves Oxford, Mississippi, with more than 3,000 all-purpose yards and 34 total touchdowns.
By comparison, Ohio State hasn't had a 1,000-yard rusher since 2021. On top of that, the Buckeyes will have plenty of snaps available in their running back room moving forward. No. 2 rusher Chip Trayanum entered the transfer portal and veteran Miyan Williams, who led OSU in rushing in 2022, already declared for the NFL Draft.
That leaves the Buckeyes with one proven option in the talented but oft-injured TreVeyon Henderson, who has yet to make a public decision on his future. If he leaves, Ohio State will have just one running back with at least 15 career carries left on its roster, pending the addition of Judkins.
Judkins could unlock Henderson
If Henderson elects to return, he and Judkins would form one of the nation's best running back duos. It could be an ideal situation for Henderson, who would no longer have to play as a bellcow back but should still get plenty of opportunity to shine.
In the two years since his breakout freshman season, in which he rushed for 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns, Henderson has missed a total of eight games while dealing with various injuries. That particularly hampered Ohio State in 2023, when it lacked the depth and a clear No. 2 to replace him.
Despite his high volume over the past two years, Judkins has yet to miss a game and he's used to sharing the backfield with another standout rusher. Former SMU transfer Ulysses Bentley IV actually led Ole Miss in yards per carry in 2023 with 5.7 while finishing with 540 yards on 95 carries. The split between Henderson and Judkins would be a lot closer to 50-50, but it would allow Ohio State to maximize both options without wearing either out -- a key dynamic given Henderson's past and a potential selling point for his return as he looks to boost his NFL stock.
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