When running back Quinshon Judkins announced he would play at Ohio State in 2024, TreVeyon Henderson hadn’t publicly announced his decision to return to Columbus yet. Four days later he did, and the Buckeyes were left with what is possibly the most stacked backfield in the country.
Judkins said he made his decision pretty early after entering the portal because he knew what Ohio State could bring to the table in terms of his development and the ability to compete for a national championship.
“Why not Ohio State?” Judkins said. “A place with great culture, the best coaches, the best players, the best fan base that’s very passionate about their team and about the whole city.”
“The idea of coming to a team where you’re playing for something that’s bigger than yourself. A lot of great players have come here through the portal this year. When you come together for a cause that’s bigger than yourself and you have great players around you and you want to win, that’s what it’s all about.”
Judkins said NIL didn’t mean much when he was looking for a new home. The coaches being able to prepare him to compete at the highest level was something he looked for, and he believes head coach Ryan Day and new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien can do that for him.
“When everything’s moving so fast, you have to stay poised as a player and focus on the things that matter and that’ll put you in the best position,” Judkins said. “That’s what it’s really about for me and my process.”
“You want to be around coaches that puts you in a position to elevate yourself as a player and show more to your game. I think coach Day and coach O’Brien will do that.”
At Ole Miss, Judkins played against O’Brien when he was the offensive coordinator at Alabama and he said he liked the way O’Brien used then-Crimson Tide running back Jahmyr Gibbs in all kinds of ways.
Judkins and Henderson both being so talented means the carries between the two will likely be split, especially since that could help Henderson stay healthy after a couple of injury-riddled seasons in Columbus. Judkins said that didn’t matter to him and he’s happy to help the team in any way he can, as long as that is in pursuit of a national championship.
“That’s what everyone here works hard for,” Judkins said. “That is the end goal. It’s not to get a certain amount of wins. That’s what everyone is here for, to win the national championship. I take it seriously. Everyone here has bought in to whatever it takes to get that and that’s what everyone’s trying to do.”
