Quinshon Judkins transfer to Ohio State from Ole Miss, explained

On January 21, 2025By Littum

Quinshon Judkins’ journey with Ohio State football could come full circle on Monday.

Judkins announced his engagement in the Buckeyes last January, just as Ohio State rival Michigan pulled off a national championship victory. Judkins, the top transfer running back in the portal last season, brought a bright light to Buckeyes’ fans as their most hated rival won an elusive championship.

On Monday, Judkins will try to help No. 8 Buckeyes (13-2) in defeating No. 7 Notre Dame (14-1) for the program’s first national championship since 2014. Ohio State is coming off a 28-14 win over Texas , which included a two-touchdown performance from Judkins.

Judkins, who has built a strong running back duo with TreVeyon Henderson, has 183 rushes for 960 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. He has also added 20 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown through the air. Henderson has 967 rushing yards and 10 scores.

Here’s a look at why Judkins chose to switch Miss Ole to Ohio State in the offseason:

Why did Quinshon Judkins transfer from Ole Miss to Ohio State?

Judkins was rated a three-star running back recruit out of Alabama and landed at Ole Miss under coach Lane Kiffin. In his first season in 2022, he proved his recruiting ranking too low, rushing 274 times for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns. He received CBS Freshman of the Year honors and was named All-Southeastern Conference.

As a sophomore, Judkins was once again a workhorse, rushing 271 times for 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns. Overall, he totaled 545 totes in two seasons with the Rebels as the team posted a 19-7 record in that span.

While Kiffin and Ole Miss attacked the portal hard last season for a CFP run, Judkins sought outside opportunities for his best shot at a national championship. Judkins entered the portal on January 4, 2024, and three days later committed to Ohio State as the top-rated transfer running back and the ninth overall player in the transfer class.

“Like I said, I want to win a national championship,” Judkins told the Dispatch in November. “You want to go where there are the best players, the best players, the best fan base nationally in college football. Everybody here wants to win. Everybody here wants to push you to be your best. Everybody here want to be their best selves, so why not go to Ohio State?

Quinshon Judkins 247 rating

As a high school recruit:

Star rating: Three stars
National ranking: No. 562 overall
Position Location: no. 46 RB
State Ranking: 25 player from Alabama

As transfer:

Star rating: Four stars
Overall ranking: no. 9 in total
Position Location: No. 1 drives back

According to 247 Sports Composite rankingsJudkins was a three-star recruit and the No. 562 overall in the 2022 class. The running back from Pike Road High School (Alabama) was also the No. 46 RB in the class and the 25th ranked player in Alabama.

Judkins committed to Ole Miss on September 29, 2021 after receiving offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Michigan and Notre Dame, among others.

Quinshon Judkin’s stats

Here’s a look at Judkins’ stats at Ole Miss and Ohio State:

2022 (Ole Miss): 274 rushes, 1,567 yards, 16 touchdowns; 15 receptions, 132 yards, one touchdown
2023 (Ole Miss): 271 rushes, 1,158 yards, 15 touchdowns; 22 receptions, 149 yards, two touchdowns
2024 (Ohio State): 183 rushes, 960 yards, 12 touchdowns; 20 receptions, 140 yards, one touchdown
Career: 728 rushes, 3,685 yards, 43 touchdowns; 57 receptions, 421 yards, four touchdowns