Judkins on OSU: ‘It Wasn’t Just Football, It Was Family

Judkins on OSU: ‘It Wasn’t Just Football, It Was Family

 

Quinshon Judkins, the electrifying running back who transferred from Ole Miss to Ohio State and captured the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2024, has offered some of the most heartfelt reflections since entering the NFL Draft. While his staggering 1,060 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns speak volumes, it’s his words about the intangible culture at OSU that resonate most now—because for him, success meant far more than stats. As he has frequently said, “It wasn’t just football, it was family.”

 

From the moment Judkins entered the Ohio State transfer portal in January 2024, he had one goal in mind: be part of something bigger, something rooted in brotherhood and shared purpose. “I think growing up, Ohio State isn’t just a school you hear about at that certain moment,” he said shortly after committing . He admired Buckeye legends like Ezekiel Elliott and J.K. Dobbins and saw OSU as a stage built on culture, passion, and collective pursuit. Within days of entering the portal, Judkins visited Columbus—reportedly feeling as drawn in by the space as he was by conversations with coaches and players . In his own words: “It was a great situation to be in.”

 

That quick connection wasn’t surface-level. Judkins has recounted how teammates personally recruited him, introducing him to a preseason of expectation and unity. When he officially walked into the Buckeyes’ locker room, “nothing changed. If anything, our bond got stronger,” he said of the player-to-player relationship . That kind of internal validation—recruitment by players—speaks to the genuine nature of the brotherhood he speaks of.

 

When OSU clinched the national championship by defeating Notre Dame 34–23, Judkins racked up three touchdowns, including two on the ground and one through the air . Yet in pressers and social media posts, he focused less on highlight reels and more on what the achievement meant: “It’s because you want it for the person beside you… I can trust that guy, he’s got me, and he’s going to … make a play” . That reflects the ethos Judkins embraced at OSU—where an early morning weight room or conditioning session carried more weight because it was in service of someone else’s future.

 

Quinshon also attributes much of his personal discipline and mindset to his upbringing in Pike Road, Alabama. His parents, Quincy and Teva, laid the foundation for his internal drive and post-game humility . When Judkins chose scarlet and gray, he wasn’t just chasing victories; he was honoring a family legacy rooted in relentless effort and accountability. Embracing the number 1 jersey—with its pressure and prestige—he saw it as symbolic of his journey, not just his talent .

 

Adjusting to Ohio State’s system meant meshing with its backfield star, TreVeyon Henderson. Though Henderson was already a household name in Columbus, Judkins described their relationship as competitive and collaborative. “We helped each other… we embraced the competitive aspect,” he said . Instead of conflict, OSU presented dual-threat balance in the backfield. Judkins has credited that dynamic for enabling both to thrive on critical games.

 

His coach, Chip Kelly, elevated that concept. Kelly praised Judkins’ versatility in everything from inside zones to pass protection, describing him as an all-around back . Judkins echoed that vision: strong, elusive, and team-oriented. OSU schemed plays like “inside zone” and “duo” to take advantage of his explosiveness—and he rewarded them with production .

 

Judkins often described Ohio State’s on-field and off-field culture as “one-of-a-kind.” He pointed out how passionate the fans were, how early workouts started, how accountability was expected—not just preached. That professionalism and energy bolstered his perception that OSU was a spiritual fit . And when Ohio State beat Akron 49-14, Judkins summarized what the institution meant to him: “I think it’s the brotherhood… everybody has put blood, sweat and tears into this program” .

 

His time at OSU carried introspection about purpose. Near the start of his Buckeye career, he reflected, “The idea of coming to a team where you’re playing for something bigger than yourself,” rang true . OSU’s brand meant more than a system—it meant legacy, standards, history. Judkins didn’t just chase personal stats; he wanted something lasting.

 

That intangible became tangible during his “black stripe” moment—where Ohio State formally welcomed him into its lineage. Judkins called it emotional: a moment of genuine connection where he recognized the weighty tradition, solidified by the embrace of teammates and coaches . He admitted in postgame interviews that Ohio State had, in that moment, become home.

 

And yet, even as Judkins prepared for the NFL Draft, he refused to leave OSU behind. That sense of family carried into interviews and pro day speeches. He’s now with the Cleveland Browns, who drafted him in the second round, but Judkins has underscored that his formative year with Buckeye Nation wasn’t ancillary—it was foundational . He referenced OSU’s system of daily discipline, accountability, and camaraderie as integral to who he is today—on and off the field. During rookie premier events, Judkins said, “Just continue to be consistent and be a team guy” .

 

His journey—three seasons of over 1,000 rushing yards at Ole Miss, then one defining season at OSU—blossomed into national championship recognition. His 545 collegiate carries and 50 total touchdowns represent elite productivity, but it’s the lessons from Ohio State that he continues to spotlight: unity, mutual trust, authenticity .

 

As he steps onto NFL fields, the Buckeye bond travels with him. Judkins is quick to frame his model for success as family-minded. He told interviewers that he’ll rally behind teammates and be a leader who lifts the group. Just as he felt drawn to OSU’s culture, he now carries the same expectation to contribute that environment wherever he lands—on Sundays, against opponents, in meetings, in locker rooms.

 

That woven identity between football and family remains his signature phrase: “It wasn’t just football, it was family.” It was an expression of gratitude from Judkins to Ohio State fans, coaches, teammates, and staff. His ambition—to win championships, to produce on the field, to lead—is inseparable from that sense of belonging. It’s what made his tenure in Columbus transcend a single season or stat line—it made it personal.

 

And as he prepares to wear orange in Cleveland, he makes clear that the bond isn’t just nostalgic. He intends to make the brotherhood part of his NFL DNA. The Browns may have acquired his athletic ability, but he’s bringing something else: an Ohio State mindset built on shared sweat, accountability, relentless purpose, and a sense of permanent home. That, he believes, separates winners from champions—and athletes from legacies.

 

In that sense, Ohio State didn’t just give Quinshon Judkins a springboard to the NFL. It gave him a family. One he proudly carries with him—to new cities, new teammates, and a new stage.