In a move that surprises few but excites many, Ohio State star running back Quinshon Judkins has officially declared for the 2025 NFL draft. The electric playmaker leaves Columbus after a memorable one-year tenure that culminated in a scintillating national championship performance. Now, he sets his sights on proving he’s the cream of the crop in a loaded draft class.
Judkins, who transferred to Ohio State last year after two ultra-productive seasons at Ole Miss, wasted no time making his presence felt as a Buckeye. He formed a potent one-two punch with senior TreVeyon Henderson, providing the lightning to Henderson’s thunder. Despite the shared workload, Judkins’ talent was undeniable.
Saving His Best for Last
While Judkins impressed all season, it was on the biggest stage that he shined brightest. In Ohio State’s victory over Notre Dame in the national championship game, the junior back was simply unstoppable. He gashed the vaunted Irish defense for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 11 carries, adding 2 catches for 21 yards and another score.
“My time here at Ohio State was like no other. It was like no other place I’ve ever been. I enjoyed my time here so much. I’m ready to take the next step in my journey and prove I’m best running back in the draft class.”
Quinshon Judkins to ESPN
His final stat line in scarlet and gray: 1,060 rushing yards, 22 receptions, 161 receiving yards, and 16 total touchdowns. Extrapolate that to a full workload, and it’s clear Judkins has the makings of a complete, three-down NFL back. But his Ohio State days only tell part of the story.
A Rebel Rises
Before arriving in Columbus, Judkins was busy rewriting the record books in Oxford. In his true freshman season at Ole Miss, he led the SEC in rushing attempts (274) and finished second in rushing yards (1,567) and touchdowns (16). His 5.7 yards per carry and 1,699 yards from scrimmage both paced the conference.
An encore was in order for 2023, as Judkins again topped 1,500 rushing yards and found the end zone 17 times en route to first-team All-SEC honors. The talented back was just scratching the surface of his potential, but he knew he needed a change of scenery to chase his championship aspirations and improve his draft stock.
The Total Package
In today’s NFL, versatility is the name of the game – and Judkins has it in spades. A natural runner with excellent vision, balance, and burst, he can run both inside and outside the tackles with equal effectiveness. He’s elusive in the open field, but also runs with the power and determination to break tackles and finish forward.
But what sets Judkins apart is his receiving ability. He’s a smooth route runner with soft hands, capable of lining up all over the formation to create mismatches. In his three collegiate seasons, he amassed 59 receptions for 442 yards and 5 touchdowns – and he’s only getting better.
“Whoever picks me is going to get a super passionate player. A guy who makes plays on the field and can catch the ball, run the ball and pass protect. I can do so many things that have a huge impact on the game.”
Quinshon Judkins to ESPN
The Best Is Yet to Come
Despite his lofty accomplishments and tantalizing skill set, Judkins knows this is just the beginning. He’s a tireless worker with a burning desire to be the best – and he has the physical tools and mental makeup to get there. As he embarks on his NFL journey, Judkins is ready to prove he’s not just the best back in the 2025 class – but one of the best we’ve seen in years.
- 4,227 – Career yards from scrimmage (3,785 rushing, 442 receiving)
- 50 – Career touchdowns (45 rushing, 5 receiving)
- 5.9 – Career yards per carry
The numbers speak for themselves. The tape does the rest. Now, it’s time for Quinshon Judkins to let his play do the talking at the next level. And if his college career is any indication, he’s poised to make a resounding statement in the NFL for years to come. The only question is: which lucky team will draft this rising star?
