Quinshon Judkins, the Ohio State Buckeyes’ sensational RB has created a lot of hype at the Buckeyes camp. Judkins, before entering the transfer portal last January, was the go-to running back for the Rebels, starting all 13 games. The former three-star RB rushed for 1,158 yards and scored a crazy 15 touchdowns, leading the SEC. That’s two back-to-back seasons in a row with over 1,000 rushing yards for RB!

Judkins is a beast on the gridiron. Often called the “touchdown machine”, Judkins was a force to reckon at Ole Miss. In fact, Judkins was recognized as the first SEC running back since Herschel Walker to rack up 15 or more touchdowns in each of his first two seasons. The All-SEC First Team and All-SEC Second Team running back, however, had a pretty humble start. As the Buckeyes gear up for another thrilling season, here’s all you need to know about the academic journey of Judkins.

Judkins has always been a promising player

Born to Quincy and Teva Judkins, Quinshon Judkins grew up in the tight-knit neighborhoods of Pike Road, Alabama, where football wasn’t just a pastime—it was a way of life. From a young age, it was clear that Quinshon was destined for the gridiron. Under the guidance of Coach Patrick Browning at Pike Road High School, Judkins didn’t just play football—he dominated it. With Browning’s mentorship, Quinshon became an unstoppable force on the field, rushing for an astounding 4,220 yards during his high school career. His junior and senior years were nothing short of spectacular, racking up 1,482 and 1,534 yards respectively, and scoring a jaw-dropping 67 touchdowns overall.

But Judkins wasn’t just about racking up stats. He was a game-changer. His explosive plays and relentless drive led Pike Road High to a 5A state title, earning him the MVP title at the AHSAA 5A State Championship Game. With 470 receiving yards and four touchdowns added to his resume, it was clear—Judkins was the real deal.

When he took his talents to Ole Miss, Judkins continued to turn heads and collect accolades. He became a Conerly Trophy Finalist and landed on the 2023 Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year, and Doak Walker Award Watch Lists. His freshman year was a breakout season, earning him the 2022 CBS National Freshman of the Year and On3 National Offensive True Freshman of the Year awards. The honors didn’t stop there—he was also the 2022 Conerly Trophy Winner, a Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year Finalist, and a Doak Walker Award Semifinalist. PFF even gave him an Honorable Mention All-America nod.

But here’s the thing about Quinshon—he’s not just a beast on the field. Coming from a family that values education as much as football, he’s also a standout in the classroom. Balancing academics with athletics, Quinshon made the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll in Fall 2023, an accolade reserved for student-athletes who excel both on and off the field. This running back is proving that he’s got both the brains and the brawn to take on whatever comes his way.

The Henderson-Judkins duo is the one to watch out for this season

All eyes are on TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins this season to create a thrilling thunder-and-lightning combo in the Buckeye backfield. With their combined skills for 5,470 rushing yards and 81 touchdowns, they’re all set to bring some serious thrill to the Buckeyes game. While Judkins will most probably be the starting RB for the season, Henderson will also work in tandem to make brilliant displays of their crazy pass-catching abilities. It’s only a matter of time until we see one of the most explosive duo at play in the gridiron this season.