Scarlet Sunrise: Ohio State already helping elevate running back Quinshon Judkins

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Ohio State already helping elevate running back Quinshon Judkins

TreVeyon Henderson has embraced more of a leadership role as a senior. Even back in February, head coach Ryan Day discussed how Henderson is holding teammates accountable.

“He’s got a different look in his eye, and I think that’s important,” Day said at the time. “He’s been in these games before. He knows.”

That’s the responsible, take-charge side of Henderson. He showed his selflessness, on the other hand, when Day first talked to him about the potential addition of Ole Miss star running back Quinshon Judkins earlier this offseason. Henderson bought in.

So did Judkins, who knew he was joining a Buckeyes backfield with Henderson, one of the most well-known and dynamic playmakers on the Ohio State roster.

To say Day has been impressed with Henderson’s approach would be an understatement. Now that he’s had more time around Judkins, he can vouch for the transfer’s early growth inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, too.

“I can even see a change in him and just the way he’s approaching every day in terms of workouts, the way he practiced from Day 1 until the last practice of spring practice,” Day explained on 97.1 The Fan’s Bishop and Friends Wednesday.

“And so just being in the city of Columbus, being around Ohio State, being on this stage, being around the resources we have, and more importantly, around the people we have, just raises your level up a little bit. And I think that you’re starting to see that with him.”

Judkins carried the ball at least 271 times each of his two seasons at Ole Miss, where he also piled up more than 1,000 rushing yards and 17 total touchdowns both years. He knows his workload will decrease this season. Judkins came in with a team-first mindset.

Earlier this month, he gave back to his alma mater during a return to his hometown of Pike Road, Alabama.

Paying some of his NIL earnings forward, the Buckeyes running back donated $10,000 to the Pike Road QB Club Tuesday.

Judkins has spent more than four-plus months in Columbus, and he’s clearly fitting right in to what the Buckeyes were already building.

What addition of transfer safety Keenan Nelson Jr. means for Buckeyes

Ohio State got some much-needed safety depth with its addition of South Carolina transfer safety Keenan Nelson Jr., who started four games in 15 total appearances the last two seasons.

Having redshirted his freshman year, he joins the Buckeyes with three years of eligibility remaining.

Nelson also has 82 special teams snaps under his belt, according to Pro Football Focus, most of which have come on kickoff return and kickoff coverage.

Nelson is the seventh scholarship safety on the roster. The others are Lathan Ransom, Caleb Downs, Malik Hartford, Jayden Bonsu, Jaylen McClain and Leroy Roker.

For analysis on the impact of his addition, head on over here.

Ohio State Basketball Recruiting: Setting the stage for the spring live period

The Ohio State men’s basketball staff is locked and loaded for the only live period of the spring. The Buckeyes’ recruiting forces will be on site for not only the Nike EYBL in Indianapolis this weekend but also the Adidas 3SSB event in Bryan, Texas.

Head coach Jake Diebler is still putting the finishing touches on his 2024-25 roster and coaching bench, except this weekend is about keeping an eye on the next fleet of promising high schoolers, especially those in the 2025 class.

Lettermen Row set the stage for the spring live period with a rundown of prospects the Buckeyes will have on their radar in both Indianapolis and Bryan, Texas.

Check that out here.

Counting Down

Buckeyes vs. Akron: 105 days

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 196 days

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