We are a little over a month away from the college football season starting and what better way than to evaluate athletes who are on the rise. This segment will feature Ohio State’s newest running back transfer Quinshon Judkins.

Judkins comes from the Ole Miss Rebels where he compiled 545 carries for 2,725 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns in two full seasons. He was a force to be reckoned with on the ground attack and was a two-time first-team All-SEC in 2022 and 2023. By joining the Buckeyes in January, the team instantly improved their offensive production without Judkins even playing a single snap.

The Buckeyes’ offensive coaching staff that includes head coach Ryan Day and former NFL head coach Chip Kelly, will look to implement Judkins and TreyVeon Henderson in a dual running back approach in 2024.

Pro Football Focus listed Judkins as the number two returning running back in the entire nation in their article titled: ‘College Football: Top-10 returning running backs for the 2024 season’.

Author Max Chadwick discussed Judkins’ accolades during his time with the Ole Miss Rebels and how he will be relied upon very heavily in the running game as a junior.

Judkins is the only running back on this list who’ll be playing for a new school in 2024, transferring to Ohio State from Ole Miss in January. He’s been the most productive back over the last couple seasons. Since 2022, Judkins leads all Power Five running backs in rushing yards (2,726), yards after contact (1,800) and forced missed tackles (154). Those also happened to be his first two years of college football. Judkins will likely be relied on heavily as a junior to carry Ohio State back to prominence, along with his teammate further down this list. 

Judkins’ Collegiate Statistics:

2022: 274 Carries for 1,567 Yards, 5.7 Average, 16 TDs

2023: 271 Carries for 1,158 Yards, 4.3 Average, 15 TDs

2024: TBD

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You may recognize Judkins and just how dominant he is if you just recently purchased EA Sports’ newest college video game. The release of the video game was just over a week ago, and Judkins has been considered the greatest athlete in the entire game. His speed, spin moving capabilities, and overall physical presence, have been all combined into one.

While Judkins is a dominant force in a video game, it should not go unnoticed what he accomplished as a freshman and sophomore during his short stint with the Rebels.

Earning 31 rushing touchdowns and capturing over 1,000 yards in both seasons starting is very solid. He will look to improve upon his freshman campaign where he rushed for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns. If he stays consistent like he has been, Judkins will reach 15 touchdowns with the Buckeyes on the ground this season alone. He has averaged 15.5 (16 in 2022 and 15 in 2023) during his first two years starting.

Judkins is a college football player to watch in 2024 as he will look to make his mark with a Buckeyes team that is poised for stardom this season.