Quinshon Judkins’ Meteoric Rise: Ohio State’s Star RB Is Turning Heads Before the NFL Draft
The countdown to the 2025 NFL Draft is officially on, and with every passing day, the anticipation intensifies. Among the swirling storm of prospects jockeying for position on big boards across the league, one name is rapidly gaining traction—Quinshon Judkins, the electrifying running back from Ohio State, who might just be this year’s draft-day wild card.
While Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is widely considered the top dog in this year’s deep class of running backs, Judkins is stealthily—but swiftly—closing the gap. Once viewed as a solid second-rounder, the Alabama native has begun rocketing up draft boards after a phenomenal 2024 campaign that ended with a storybook ending: a national championship ring on his finger.
Judkins’ journey to stardom is straight out of a sports drama. After making waves at Ole Miss, he made the high-stakes leap to Ohio State—a decision that would redefine his entire collegiate legacy. In his first season as a Buckeye, he didn’t just contribute—he took over. Power, finesse, and relentless drive fueled his performances as he bulldozed through defenders and electrified crowds, playing a crucial role in Ohio State’s championship triumph over Notre Dame.
Shortly after that title-clinching victory, Judkins dropped a heartfelt bombshell: he was headed to the NFL.
“To Buckeye Nation,” Judkins wrote in his declaration, “thank you for embracing a kid from Alabama like your own. I’ll carry the memories of playing at The Shoe for the rest of my life. Ending my college career with a national title? Couldn’t script it better.”
But it’s what’s happening now that has scouts and fans on edge with excitement. Judkins isn’t just entering the draft—he’s climbing it. Reports are now flooding in that multiple NFL teams are eager to get a closer look at the dynamic back who posted 1,060 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024, while also flashing his versatility with 161 receiving yards and two more scores on just 22 catches.
According to Fox Sports insider Jordan Schultz, Judkins already met with the Dallas Cowboys and has upcoming visits lined up with the Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, and Cleveland Browns. Translation? The league is watching. Closely.
And scouts? They’re buzzing.
“He’s the total package,” one NFL evaluator told Schultz. “He trusts what he sees, he finishes every run like it’s his last, and he catches the ball like a natural. That 4.48 forty? That’s icing on the cake. This is a guy you can keep on the field in every situation.”
With his stock rising faster than anyone anticipated, Judkins may very well crash the first-round party—a move that would send shockwaves through draft night. Teams looking for a workhorse with explosion, vision, and durability are now scrambling to secure meetings, hoping to snag a player who looks increasingly like a future star.
As the NFL world braces for April 24—Draft Night in Detroit—Quinshon Judkins stands on the edge of football immortality. His journey from Ole Miss standout to Ohio State champion has already been epic. But his next chapter? It might just be the most thrilling of all.
Is your team ready for the Judkins Era? Because it’s coming. Fast.
