The 2025 NFL Draft will begin on April 24, and to prepare for that, we need Vikings fans to be fully prepared in every way. Of course, we will cover players the Vikings will need, but it is important to go beyond that.
In the case of this running back report, we will cover the position here at Vikings Wire because the team needs some better talent at the position.
The Vikings have shown that their offense and what they hope to achieve rely upon the team’s consistent ground attack. The trade for Cam Akers was a nice band-aid approach, but Akers and Ty Chandler aren’t long-term answers. Aaron Jones also has been a breath of fresh air and has made a bigger impact than anyone could have hoped. Even if they bring him back, we need a backup option in place and someone who could step up and become the guy if called upon.
With that in mind, here is a running back prospect who could don a Vikings uniform next season.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins (1) runs the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the College Football Playoff championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20, 2025. Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Gee Scott Jr. (88)
Player: Quinshon Judkins
School: Ohio State (formerly Ole Miss)
Year: Third-Year Junior
DOB (Age when drafted): October 29, 2003 (21)
Height (unofficial): 6-0
Weight (unofficial): 219 lbs.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins (1) gets away from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish defense for a long run in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.
- 3-star recruit accordion to 247 Sports
- All-State Alabama selection in high school
- SEC Freshman of the Year in 2022
- Third-Team All-Big Ten in 2024
Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins (1) is tackled by Texas Longhorns defensive back Andrew Mukuba (4) during the College Football Playoff semifinal game in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on Friday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
Touches: 798
Rushing Yards: 3,785
Rushing Touchdowns: 45
Receiving Yards: 442
Receiving Touchdowns: 5
Fumbles: 3
Jan 1, 2025; Pasadena, CA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) hands the ball off to running back Quinshon Judkins (1) during the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
Rushing Grade: 90
Yards Per Carry After Contact: 3.04
Rushing Attempts Over 10 Yards: 28
Missed Tackles Forced: 43
Breakaway Run Percentage: 41.2%
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins (1) celebrates after running for a first down during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game against the Michigan Wolverines.
- Has the long speed to finish off runs once he gets into space, able to turn the corner and outrun defensive backs
- Can pool a move out of the bag at anytime to make a defender miss in open space
- Can surprise you with his pass blocking, nothing crazy, but can get an occasional pop here and there
- Good contact balance, takes gang tackling to secure him down
- One of the better receiving backs in the class making him a three-down option
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins (1) smiles at Indiana Hoosiers defensive back D’Angelo Ponds (5) after a run during the first half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
Vision: 7
Cutback Ability: 7
Long Speed: 7
Contact Balance: 6
Pass Blocking: 6
Break/Avoid Tackles: 7
Durability: 7
Receiving Ability: 7
Quickness: 7
Ball Security: 6
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins (1) sheds Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Damon Walters (21) as he run during the first half of the NCAA football game at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
Quinshon Judkins has had national attention ever since he broke out as a freshman at Ole Miss. He has been a game-changer since Day 1, and upon transferring to Ohio State, that same ability followed him. Judkins possesses great contact balance, cutback ability, and makes defenders miss in space on a consistent basis. He is one of the better-receiving backs in the class and uses his long speed to break off chunk plays and finish them off in the endzone. He showed at Ohio State he can really thrive in a rotation, so that could be best while he transitions into the league, but I believe he can also be an impactful workhorse back as well.
Player Grade: 6.7
Projected Role: Boom-or-Bust Potential