Ohio State Coaches Unloaded On Backup Running Backs During College Football Playoff Practice

Ohio State held its final college football practice of the year on Tuesday prior to its rematch against Oregon in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. The Buckeyes coaches unloaded on their backup running backs while barely touching Quinshon Judkins or TraVeyon Henderson during a ball security drill.

It would be extremely funny if either of the two star runners coughed up a fumble during the College Football Playoff because their coaches didn’t hit them hard enough during practice.

Judkins and Henderson are perhaps the most dominant running back duo in the country. The former transferred into the program during the offseason after a falling out at Ole Miss. The latter decided to return for his senior season with the goal being a national title or bust.

Henderson was the top-ranked prospect at his position in the recruiting Class of 2021. He ran for 3,576 yards and 40 touchdowns in 44 games over the last four years. His average of seven yards per carry in 2024 is a career-high but his total touches saw a decrease year over year.

Judkins is the reason Henderson did not get as many carries this year as last. The former three-star recruit burst onto the scene during two college football seasons in Lane Kiffin’s offense at Ole Miss. He ran for more than 1,000 during both years with the Rebels.

Although Judkins saw his touches drop by more than 100 carries from 2023 to 2024, his role at Ohio State is just as important as his backfield counterpart. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly rotates both guys during the early going and rides the hot hand once it emerges.

James Peoples, Sam Williams-Dixon, Chase Brecht, TC Caffey and Rashid SeSay are behind the one-two punch of Quinshon Judkins and TraVeyon Henderson on the Ohio State depth chart. Their practice on Tuesday was much harder than the starters. The Buckeyes’ staffers were ruthless toward the backups during a bags drill. They barely even touched the stars!