Running back Quinshon Judkins is leaving national champion Ohio State for the NFL draft, he said Friday.
Judkins, who transferred from Ole Miss before the 2024 season, announced his decision to give up his senior season on Instagram.
“To Buckeye nation, thank you for taking in a kid from Alabama and continually showing your support,” he wrote. “I am forever a Buckeye and will carry my time spent on campus and playing at The Shoe with me for a lifetime. Winning a national championship was the best way to end this journey.”
Judkins was a three-star prospect, as ranked by 247Sports, when he landed in 2022 recruiting class at Ole Miss. He spent two seasons there, running for 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns, and entered the transfer portal last January.
In 16 games with the Buckeyes, he rushed 194 times for 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He caught 22 passes for 161 yards and two scores.
Judkins’ star shined the brightest, however, on Monday in the 34-23 win over Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff title game in Atlanta. He scored two rushing touchdowns and caught a pass for another as Ohio State built its lead from 7-7 to 28-7 and gained 121 yards from scrimmage.
“My time here at Ohio State was like no other,” Judkins told ESPN in a phone interview. “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.”
