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Ohio State Star Quinshon Judkins Announces NFL Draft Decision

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Jan 24, 2025 11:35 AM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes are still celebrating their national championship victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and some players saw the game as the perfect opportunity to determine their NFL futures.

With most of the country watching and on the sport's biggest stage, a great performance in the national title game could be the difference between being drafted and joining the NFL as an undrafted free agent.

One Ohio State star is set to make his way to the NFL after the national title game, and he's doing so after a great performance against the Irish.

According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins will declare for the NFL Draft. Judkins was Ohio State's leading rusher this season, beating out TreVeyon Henderson by around 50 yards.

Ohio State star running back Quinshon Judkins is leaving school early and will declare for the NFL draft, he told ESPN.
His ranks as the No. 5 overall running back in the upcoming draft in Mel Kiper Jr.’s position rankings. pic.twitter.com/MuhQlh5k1t
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 24, 2025

Each player ran for over 1,000 yards, giving the Buckeyes a formidable one-two punch at the position.

Judkins arrived at Ohio State for the 2024 season after playing his first two seasons at Ole Miss. During his time with the Rebels, Judkins ran for 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns.

He was the SEC's freshman of the year back in 2022, and earned All-SEC honors in both of his seasons with the program.

This year, Judkins was part of the roster additions that took Ohio State to the next level. Players like Judkins and Caleb Downs arrived through the transfer portal and immediately produced results.

The Buckeyes allegedly spent $20 million to put their team together this season, and it appears that the money was well spent after winning the national championship.

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 20: Head Coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes interviewed after the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has Judkins as the fifth-best running back in this year's class, and he should be a candidate to hear his name called on draft weekend.

Ohio State will look to retool once again as they seek a second consecutive national title. Other programs around the country will be hungry to defeat them, but they'll need to focus on bringing in more players like Judkins to address deficiency within the recruited roster.

We'll find out how Ohio State does next season, as they've gone from the hunter to the hunted after the national title. We'll also find out where Judkins ends up after declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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