Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins is an elite playmaker in the 2025 NFL Draft. Judkins transferred to the Buckeyes program this past season from Ole Miss and helped the team win a National Championship by rushing for 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns. The skilled ball-carrier further increased his pre-draft stock at the NFL Combine by leaping a breathtaking 11-foot broad jump and 38.5-inch vertical.
Judkins recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network. Judkins discussed his historic season at Ohio State, his relationship with TreVeyon Henderson, being an elite three-down back at the next level, and more. Judkins is a premier prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft.
JM: Now that you've had time to reflect, how do you look back on the decision to transfer from Ole Miss to Ohio State? It worked out beautifully for you.
Quinshon Judkins: I feel like going from Ole Miss to Ohio State was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. Not only did that move work out for me from a footballing perspective, but I also met so many great people and learned so many important lessons.
I built relationships at Ohio State that will last me a lifetime. It helped develop me as a person and player. I’m going to be a better pro because of it.
JM: You helped the team win a National Championship. That doesn't happen unless there's a strong brotherhood in the locker room. Did you feel welcomed right away by your teammates?
Quinshon Judkins: I definitely did. Even when I visited Ohio State after entering the portal, I felt like the players were trying to recruit me just as hard as the coaches were (laughs). They showed me a lot of brotherly love.
It was the same thing when I officially walked into the locker room. Nothing changed. If anything, our bond got stronger. Everybody on the team was consistent from a professional perspective. We held each other accountable at Ohio State. We supported one another.
JM: You rushed for 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns. What do you think it was about your mentality and approach that allowed you to contribute right away?
Quinshon Judkins: That’s just who I am as a player. Even though I was only in college for three seasons, I had a terrific amount of success and rushing yards. That's just who I am as a player. I have a very driven mentality. I’m hungry.
You see it on tape. I play the game with a ton of passion. That’s who I am as a player. I’m always very determined to score and help the team win games. I love being successful and producing at a high level. I think my daily approach speaks for itself.
JM: You also shared the backfield with TreVeyon Henderson. Both of you were super productive. How did iron sharpen iron? Working in a committee made you a selfless player and helped prepare you for the next level.
Quinshon Judkins: Both TreVeyon Henderson and I had that same mindset. We helped each other. We embraced the competitive aspect. We have a lot of things in common. We both wanted to win. We kept winning the main thing. Our biggest goal was to produce for the team.
We both helped bring success to the program. We had different skill sets. We were always on the same page. I have a great relationship with TreVeyon Henderson outside of football. It made it even easier to work together. He’s a great person. We enjoyed each other’s company.
It made it easy to work with him on the football side of things.
JM: What a dream pairing you guys were. I feel like you can be a three-down back, though. You run the football with outstanding speed, power, and vision. How would you describe your skill set?
Quinshon Judkins: I can definitely be a three-down back. If you look at my tape at Ole Miss, I was a three-down back. I split time with Tre at Ohio State, but if you look at the tape, you can see that three-down skill set.
I run the football with speed, vision, power, and elusiveness. I possess great natural hands in the passing game. I can be utilized in the backfield or catching the ball out of the slot. I’m great in pass protection.
If you look at my tape, you definitely see an all-around three-down back. You don’t see guys who can do what I do at my size. That’s what really stands out about me. I play with a ton of passion as well.
JM: There’s no doubt about that. You really put a bow on the evaluation at the NFL Combine. You were incredible, running a 4.48-second 40-yard dash with a 1.51 10-yard split at 221 pounds. You also leaped an 11-foot broad jump and 38.5-inch vertical. You must have gotten great feedback. Were you satisfied with the performance?
Quinshon Judkins: I most definitely was. I was happy with my performance. I put up great numbers. I heard great feedback from many NFL teams. A lot of people were asking me about the numbers I was going to put up. I just looked at them and gave them a wink and a smile.
I knew what was coming. I was looking forward to showing out at the NFL Combine.
JM: It was a breathtaking performance. Is Quinshon Judkins agile in space, or powerful in a phone booth? How would you describe your identity as a running back?
Quinshon Judkins: Both. That’s what separates me in this class. I have the size to be a bowling ball up the middle. I can pick up those tough yards. But I’m also very shifty and agile in space. I can make guys miss in the open field because I’m very elusive.
I have the type of wiggle a lot of running backs don’t have. That’s what teams love about me. I can be both a power back and agile in space. I’m an all-around back.
JM: The tape tells the story. What was your favorite play to run in the playbook? Something you got excited about hearing in the huddle?
Quinshon Judkins: I loved hearing inside zone and duo in the huddle (laughs). I got super excited when I looked at Will Howard and he was calling those plays. When he’s calling inside zone and duo, we just looked at each other and smiled (laughs). We knew we had a huge gain.
I loved duo and inside zone. I also loved outside zone as well. Coach Chip Kelly was so creative with his play calls. We split those plays up in special ways. It helped me execute our concepts. Coach Kelly confused defenses by the way he draws things up. I can’t give coach Kelly enough credit.
JM: There’s no doubt about that. Do you feel like there's some untapped potential for you in the passing game? I feel like there’s more to explore.
Quinshon Judkins: There most definitely is. I’m looking forward to getting more reps and experience as a pass catcher. You’re always learning. I’ve developed my game a lot, but there’s always more to explore, especially when it comes to the passing game.
I’m looking forward to being utilized in different ways. I was used in the slot a lot at Ohio State. As far as my pro career goes, I think my team will want to utilize me in different ways. I have the ability to play in the slot and run different routes. I’m looking forward to it.
JM: Do you have any team visits or workouts coming up? Did you have any formal interviews at the NFL Combine? It’s that time of year.
Quinshon Judkins: I had a lot of formal interviews at the NFL Combine, about 15-16 of them. I have a few visits coming up. We were just waiting for Pro Day before scheduling all of my visits. I have a bunch of those coming up.
JM: We've appreciated your time today. This conversation has highlighted why you’re one of the most dynamic talents available in the 2025 NFL Draft. When a team uses a premium draft pick on Quinshon Judkins, what kinda impact is he going to make at the next level?
Quinshon Judkins: You’re bringing in a passionate player who loves to play ball. I’m going to bring energy and passion to the locker room. I’m going to do what I do best on the field, and that's to produce at a high level.
Most importantly, I’m going to be a professional. I’m going to rally around my teammates and build great relationships. I’m a natural leader. I’m going to impact our locker room in a positive way.
If you draft me, I’m going to come in and produce right away. I’m coming in to win and make history. I want to be special.
