Former Vols RB Dylan Sampson reveals what it's like to be NFL teammates with Ohio State player that helped end Tennessee's season

Six months ago, Tennessee Vols running back Dylan Sampson and Ohio State Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins were competitors in one of the biggest college football games of the season. 

Judkins and the Buckeyes eliminated Sampson and the Vols from the 12-team College Football Playoff via a 42-17 shellacking in Columbus. 

Just a few months later, Sampson and Judkins became teammates. 

The Cleveland Browns selected Judkins in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Sampson was then selected by the Browns in the fourth round. 

Sampson joined 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland for a brief chat this week and he was asked what it's like to be teammates with one of the Ohio State players that helped end Tennessee's season. 

"I don't think it's awkward," said Sampson of playing with Judkins. "Because, I mean, to be honest, I didn't even really play in that game. It just felt like I couldn't affect the game at all. I got hurt in the Vandy game leading up to that, and I tried to go out there and do it and it just wasn't going. I still hold that. I [wish] I could've at least influenced the game even in a minor bit. But nah, it's cool. Me and him, we don't even really talk about it, for real. Obviously they went all the way. So I'm glad. You'd rather play the teams that go all the way than lose to the team that gets knocked out.

"But our relationship is good. We push each other, we work hard. I think we're starting to just get a vibe for each other. We're both from the south, so we really understand and get each other. We both played in the SEC at a point in time, so we're in it together."

Sampson rushed for six yards on two carries and caught one pass for two yards in the loss to the Buckeyes. The Louisiana native was clearly hurt after carrying the load for the Vols' offense all season. The injury prevented Sampson from being anywhere near his normal self against Ohio State.

As for Judkins, he scored two touchdowns while rushing for 34 yards in the win against Tennessee.