Ohio State RB Declares for Draft, Becomes Prime Target for Steelers
Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins has officially declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, and he immediately becomes one of the top targets for the Pittsburgh Steelers at running back.
Judkins is coming off an 11-carry, 100-yard, two touchdown performance in Ohio State’s College Football Playoff national championship game win over Notre Dame on Monday. He also caught two passes for 21 yards and a third score as the Buckeyes won, 34-23.
Splitting time in the Ohio State backfield with fellow 2025 NFL Draft prospect TreVeyon Henderson, Judkins finished his junior season with 1,060 rushing yards on 194 carries, 22 receptions for 161 yards and 16 total touchdowns.
The 6-foot-, 219-pound running back is expected to be available near the end of the second round, where the Steelers hold pick No. 52. According to NFL Mock Draft Database, Judkins is the No. 64 overall player on the consensus big board.
He’s the fifth-ranked running back behind Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, Henderson and Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson.
The Steelers are expected to be in the market for a running back in this year’s draft class. Incumbent four-time 1,000-yard rusher Najee Harris is a pending free agent and is not expected to return to Pittsburgh. Fellow running back Jaylen Warren is a restricted free agent and is not yet under contract for the 2025 season.
The Steelers have been very active when it comes to taking Ohio State players in the draft in the recent past. Since 2006, when they selected wide receiver Santonio Holmes in the first round, the Steelers have picked seven Buckeyes in the draft, including current defensible captain Cam Heyward.
The Steelers have also acquired a number of other former Ohio State players, including quarterbacks Justin Fields and Dwayne Haskins, tight end Nick Vannett and punter Cameron Johnston.