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NFL Draft 2025: Former Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins drafted early on Day 2
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Quinshon Judkins barely settled into his draft night watch party on Friday before hearing his name called.
With the 36th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns have drafted Judkins. The former Ohio State and Ole Miss tailback was the fourth pick of the second round.
His selection marks the fifth player of the national championship-winning Buckeyes to be drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. Wideout Emeka Egbuka, offensive linemen Donovan Jackson and Josh Simmons, and defensive tackle Tyleik Williams were all selected in the opening round on Thursday night. No other school had more picks on Thursday night than Ohio State.
Judkins began his career at Ole Miss, where he signed as a 3-star recruit out of the 2022 class. The Pike Road, Alabama, native was an immediate star for the Rebels. In 26 appearances across 2 seasons with he program, he tied a program record with 14 career 100-yard rushing games.
In 2022, Judkins broke the school’s single-season rushing record with 1,567 yards while scoring 16 touchdowns. He led the SEC with 15 rushing scores in 2023 and was twice named a first-team All-SEC back.
Judkins transferred to Ohio State ahead of the 2024 season, joining TreVeyon Henderson in the Buckeye backfield to form a terrifying two-headed monster.
His 1,060 rushing yards ranked seventh among Big Ten rushers and led the Buckeyes. Judkins also found the endzone 14 times to give him 45 career rushing scores.
Against Western Michigan and Marshall early in the season, Judkins was unstoppable, rushing for 281 combined yards and 4 scores. From then on through the end of the regular season, Judkins was mostly held in check.
He saved his best for last, going for 100 yards and 2 scores on 11 carries in the national championship win over Notre Dame.
Now, he’ll join a Cleveland backfield that is still being finalized. Judkins will compete with Jerome Ford for the starting job. Cleveland could still opt to bring back Nick Chubb, whose 2024 season ended with a broken foot, but he’s currently a free agent.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
