Buckeye culture already elevates Quinshon Judkins

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Ohio State is already helping to take Quinshon Judkins to the next level

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

“He has a different look in his eye, and I think that’s important,” Day said at the time. ‘He has participated in these competitions before. He knows.”

That’s the responsible side of Henderson. On the other hand, he showed his selflessness when Day first spoke to him about the possible addition of Ole Miss star Quinshon Judkins earlier this season. Henderson bought in.

So did Judkins, who knew he would be joining the Buckeyes with Henderson, one of the most well-known and dynamic playmakers on Ohio State’s roster.

To say Day is impressed with Henderson’s approach would be an understatement. Now that he’s spent more time with Judkins, he can also vouch for the transfer’s early growth within the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

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

“And so just by being in the city of Columbus, being near Ohio State, being on this stage, being surrounded by the resources that we have, and more importantly, by the people that we have, it your level just a little higher. And I think 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 racked up over 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 mentality.

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

The Buckeyes running back prepaid a portion of his NIL earnings and donated $10,000 to the Pike Road QB Club on Tuesday.

Judkins has spent more than four months in Columbus and he clearly fits right into what the Buckeyes were already building.

As for the addition of transfer safety Keenan Nelson Jr. means for Buckeyes

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

After redshirting his freshman year, he joins the Buckeyes with three years left on his contract.

Nelson also has 82 special teams careers to his credit, with most of those coming from kickoff returns and kickoff coverage, according to Pro Football Focus.

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 of the impact of his addition, go here.

Ohio State Basketball Recruiting: Preparing 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 this weekend not only for the Nike EYBL in Indianapolis, but also for the Adidas 3SSB event in Bryan, Texas.

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

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

Check that out here.

Countdown

Buckeyes vs. Akron: 105 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 196 days

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