The Ohio State football team has one of the most impressive rosters in the country and are expected to be among the teams vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Given the way college sports in general have unfolded over the last few seasons, transfers from other programs are starting to have increasing importance, and former Ole Miss running back Quishon Judkins is one of the most important names in college football.
In fact, ESPN actually labeled him as the most important non-QB transfer.
ESPN staff writer Bill Connelly wrote on the most important college football players. Will Howard, the likely Ohio State starting quarterback, topped the list, and Judkins came in at No. 18.
“Judkins and Henderson rushed for 10 yards or more on about 14% of their carries last season, and both averaged around 3.0 yards per carry after contact,” Connelly wrote. “Henderson’s ceiling is probably higher when healthy (he’s also a super-dangerous receiver), but now you’re not banking your season on Henderson’s health. With Henderson, Judkins and slot man Emeka Egbuka, you’re giving transfer quarterback Will Howard some vast riches to play with.”
Judkins was a star before joining the Buckeyes, rushing for 1,567 yards during his first season with Ole Miss and then going for 1,158 yards during his second campaign. Judkins chipped in 17 touchdowns in both seasons.
#GoBucks https://t.co/qEizcbS5dL
— Quinshon Judkins (@quinshon_) August 7, 2024
He was a surprise transfer portal player considering how good Ole Miss is supposed to be this season, but the long history of elite backs that have through Columbus likely helped persuade him to join Ohio State.
That said, Judkins will be important, and ideally, he’ll be a key factor in getting some pressure off the shoulders of Will Howard.