Eric Boggs
For some players, leaving the safety of Ohio State’s clean and clearly Christian culture can be a difficult transition. That appears to be the case for former Buckeye running back Quinshon Judkins, whose promising professional career has hit an early roadblock. On July 12th, Judkins was arrested in Broward County, Florida, on charges of domestic violence and battery. According to official records, the charge is listed as “touch or strike/battery/domestic violence,” and he remains in custody with no set bond or expected release date.
Judkins, who transferred to Ohio State from Ole Miss ahead of the 2024 season, played a pivotal role in the Buckeyes’ national championship run. He rushed for 1,060 yards and found the end zone 14 times, becoming a key component in a reenergized ground game that helped Ohio State claim its first title in a decade. His performance caught the eye of NFL scouts, and the Cleveland Browns selected him with the 36th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
But that upward trajectory has now been interrupted. Judkins, the Browns’ lone unsigned draft pick, faces serious legal questions just as he was expected to be a centerpiece in Cleveland’s renewed focus on a run-first offensive identity. The arrest occurred in Fort Lauderdale and was first reported by a user on X (formerly Twitter), later confirmed by The Athletic’s Zak Jackson. As of Sunday morning, Judkins remained in custody without a posted bond, and no timetable has been shared for his release.
The incident puts both Judkins’ NFL future and Cleveland’s offseason plans in limbo. The Browns, who faced a similar situation with former Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. last year, now find themselves once again navigating off-field trouble involving a second-round pick. Hall was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List after his arrest and was later suspended for five games by the NFL following his plea and subsequent league discipline.
The Browns have acknowledged Judkins’ arrest and are in the process of gathering all relevant information. While the legal process will play out in time, Buckeye fans can’t help but feel disappointed—not only by the potential loss of a player they rooted for, but also by what this situation suggests about the challenges young athletes face after leaving the structured, principled environment Ohio State provides. In Columbus, Judkins thrived both on and off the field. Now, just months removed from lifting a national championship trophy, his career is at a crossroads.
