Ohio State Football: What to expect from Quinshon Judkins

The Ohio State football team might have the best one-two punch at the running back position in the country. Not only did TreVeyon Henderson decide to return for 2024, but they added another stud in Quinshon Judkins. Judkins comes in from Ole Miss after being a starter for the last two seasons.

Despite not starting this upcoming season, Judkins is still going to be a big part of the attack for the Buckeyes. You don’t let a guy who has 1,500+ rushing yards in each of the last two seasons just sit on the bench. So with the two running backs both deserving of a lot of touches, what should we expect from Judkins as the backup?

The Ohio State football team will use Quinshon Judkins to help get tough yards

One of the big things the Buckeyes have had an issue with the last couple of seasons is winning in short-yardage situations. Ohio State is not good at getting the push necessary to get a first down on 3rd and 1 or 3rd and 2. The only memorable situation in which they were able to actually convert in one of those scenarios was the Notre Dame game when Miyan Williams scored on the one-yard line as time expired.

With Judkins now on the team, Chip Kelly can use his big body and explosive leg drive to get those tough yards. That won’t be the only way he uses Judkins though. I can see situations where the Buckeyes line up with two backs in the backfield to confuse the defense. He won’t put up 1,500 yards again this year, but he could go for over 1,000.

I expect Judkins to have over 1,000 rushing yards and at least 8 touchdowns. Sharing time in the backfield will take a bite out of his production, but he’s more concerned with winning games. He, just like the rest of the Ohio State football team, wants to win a national championship this season. He’s prepared to do whatever it takes to do that.