BEREA, Ohio — A Buckeye will now call himself a Cleveland Brown.
A quick wait for two teams to make their selections, the Cleveland Browns found themselves quickly back on the clock in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, holding the No. 36 overall pick they acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars. After selecting linebacker Carson Shwesinger with the first selection of the second round, the Browns used that acquired pick from the Jags to add Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins to the roster.
Judkins, the 6'0", 219-pound back, was part of the 2024 Buckeyes National Championship run, capping the playoff run with 100 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Last year, Judkins rushed 1,060 yards on 194 carries with 14 touchdowns last year. He recorded the third-longest rush in Ohio State history with an 86-yard run against Marshall last season. He was a transfer portal addition, joining the team from Ole Miss where he played 26 games, rushing for 2,725 yards on 545 carries for 31 touchdowns over two years.
The physicality Judkins brings is something the Browns keyed in on as an asset they couldn't pass on.
"I mean again, a physical downhill player that’s going to again bring the physicality I just referred but also someone that is going to be able to contribute on third down, whether that’s in pass pro. He’s a dependable pass catcher, so really like a well-rounded prospect that’s going to be able to help us and play the type of football we want to play," said assistant general manager Catherine Hickman.
The former Buckeye becomes part of the Browns-Jaguars trade on Thursday. In the Browns' trading back to No. 5, they also received this 36th overall pick and the 126th overall pick in this year's draft.
Judkins joins a small running backs room that currently consists of Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr. Browns star running back Nick Chubb is a free agent, who, for now, has remained unsigned by the Browns or another team.
The former Buckeye believes that his success with Ohio State, and even before at Ole Miss, will translate well in the NFL—and he has lofty goals for his impact with the Browns.
“I know what it takes to win and to win a national championship. Like I said, I’ve won in high school, I won a championship and to go to the next level and win a championship in college, but I’ve always had that leadership and I know what it takes. Just the tools that you have to bring in, aside from the physicality, things that you bring to the game and athletically, what does it actually take to win a National Championship?" Judkins said. "And you know, hopefully I can go and that’s what I plan on doing is going to the next level and winning the Super Bowl for this organization.”
The Browns will stay busy Friday, set to pick two more times. The next selection the Browns hold comes in the third round of the draft with the No. 67 overall pick.
Remaining Browns draft picks
- Round 1- No. 5 overall (From Jacksonville): DT Mason Graham
- Round 2- No. 33 overall: LB Carson Shwesinger
- Round 2- No. 36 overall (From Jacksonville): RB Quinshon Judkins
- Round 3- No. 67 overall
- Round 3- No. 94 overall
- Round 4- No. 126 overall (From Jacksonville)
- Round 5- No.166 overall
- Round 6- No. 192 overall
