Former Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins announced late Monday that he is transferring to Ohio State for his two remaining seasons of eligibility.
Judkins is a former three-star prospect out of Pike Road, Ala., and he entered the transfer portal on Jan. 5 after two seasons with the Rebels in which he rushed for 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns and averaged 5.0 yards per carry. He was a first-team All-SEC selection in his freshman season and named SEC Freshman of the Year after rushing for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns, the second-best ever rushing season by an SEC freshman behind Herschel Walker’s 1,616 yards at Georgia in 1980.
Judkins’ transfer to Ohio State comes as junior running back TreVeyon Henderson has yet to announce whether or not he will return for his senior season with the Buckeyes. But even if Henderson were to return, Ohio State is still in a position where it could use some help at tailback following the transfers of Chip Trayanum and Evan Pryor since the regular season ended.
If Henderson does depart, Judkins would be in line to be Ohio State’s leading rusher next season given the experience and talent he brings in. However, even if Henderson stays, the pair could also be utilized in a split backfield, operating as a one-two punch to help limit wear and tear with both receiving a healthy number of carries.
Ohio State is also expected to return Dallan Hayden, who redshirted this past season, and welcome incoming freshmen running backs James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon, so a potential return for Henderson could lead to an abundance of depth at running back next season.
Judkins is the fourth transfer addition this offseason for the Buckeyes, including former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin and former Ohio University tight end Will Kacmarek.
