Who said you need a Heisman to turn heads?
Who claimed Judkins wouldn’t be the guy in the pros?
They might want to delete those receipts.
When the Cleveland Browns used their No. 36 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to snag Quinshon Judkins—the bruising back who carried Ohio State to a storybook national title run—there were raised eyebrows across the football world. Why Judkins over TreVeyon Henderson, the flashier, Big Ten-bred speedster with in-house familiarity? Why now? Why him?
But one glance at what’s brewing in Browns minicamp, and those doubts are rapidly melting into excitement.
Judkins, who once split headlines with Jaxson Dart at Ole Miss before becoming the heart of the Buckeye backfield under offensive mastermind Chip Kelly, now looks like a different beast entirely. No longer just a sledgehammer up the middle, Judkins is flashing rare acceleration, lateral quickness, and fluid balance that frankly didn’t show up often during his 2024 run in Columbus.
What’s Changed?
In Columbus, Judkins was dependable—but not dynamic. He racked up over 1,000 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, but many felt his Ole Miss burst had vanished. Critics claimed he had become predictable, a battering ram with very little finesse.
Well, those days are over.
During recent Browns OTA sessions, Judkins unleashed a cut-and-go burst on a stretch play that drew audible gasps from teammates and coaches alike. One scout reportedly said, “That’s not Ohio State Judkins… that’s SEC Judkins—unleashed.”
From Hidden Gem to Future Star
Let’s not forget: Judkins entered the SEC as a no-name three-star and promptly bullied his way to 1,476 yards and 16 touchdowns as a true freshman at Ole Miss. He followed it up with another 1,000-yard campaign before taking his talents to the Big Ten.
His college résumé? Over 3,500 total yards, 45 touchdowns, and a film room full of broken tackles.
His NFL ceiling? That’s now the intriguing part.
For the Browns, whose 2024 ground game was little more than a lifeline of 3-yard dives and desperate checkdowns, Judkins represents renewal. With Nick Chubb sidelined, Jerome Ford uninspiring, and rookie Dylan Sampson yet untested, the runway is wide open. And Judkins just took flight.
⚠️ Cleveland’s Offense: A Blank Canvas
Let’s be clear: Cleveland’s offensive identity is in flux. A new quarterback is under center. Multiple receivers are vying to fill a WR1 void. The offensive line is reshuffling like a Vegas blackjack table.
And in that uncertainty, Judkins has become the one controllable variable—a three-down back who can grind clock, catch passes, and, perhaps most dangerously, hit home runs from anywhere on the field.
For a Browns franchise starved for offensive identity and still haunted by “what could have been” with Chubb, Judkins is more than a player. He’s a philosophy.
Why He Was Overlooked
So why didn’t draft analysts see this coming? Easy.
Judkins didn’t test like a freak at the combine. He didn’t put up a 1,500-yard season in 2024. He wasn’t plastered across draft headlines.
But smart evaluators knew: the tape was never the issue. The wear and tear of back-to-back 200+ carry seasons at Ole Miss took a toll. The move to Ohio State wasn’t just a business decision—it was a survival one. And now? Now he’s fresher, faster, and frankly, scarier.
️ Scouting Snapshot:
“Judkins is a warhorse with finesse in his feet. He can wear you down with physicality, but just when you expect another between-the-tackles plunge, he spins out and bounces for 20 more. He’s built for January football.”
– Anonymous AFC Scout
The Verdict
If the run he ripped off in OTAs is any indication, Quinshon Judkins may not just win the starting job—he may revive Cleveland’s offense and make every front office that passed on him regret the decision for years.
He’s no longer the overlooked three-star.
He’s no longer the “hammer with no finesse.”
He’s no longer the afterthought behind TreVeyon Henderson.
He’s Quinshon Judkins—Cleveland’s next great gamble… and maybe, just maybe, their next great star.
