Replacing TreVeyon Henderson And Quinshon Judkins: Buckeyes Young But Talented

This is the 11th in a series looking at how the Buckeyes will be replacing their departed starters in 2025. Up next is the running back spot vacated by senior TreVeyon Henderson and junior Quinshon Judkins.

TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins didn’t just split ball-carrying duties last season for the Buckeyes, they also split starting duties. Judkins led the team with 1,060 yards on 194 carries (5.5 ypc) and 14 scores, while Henderson was right behind him with 1,016 yards on 144 carries (7.1 ypc), scoring 10 touchdowns.

Judkins only spent one year at Ohio State after transferring in from Ole Miss. For his career, he finished with 3,785 rushing yards in three seasons. Henderson, meanwhile, rushed for 3,761 yards in his four-year career, which is good for fifth all-time in school history, just below Eddie George’s 3,768 yards.

The Buckeyes had two workhorse running backs last season, but didn’t work either of them in that way. They shared the load and were fresher than any other tailbacks when the playoffs rolled around. Replacing either one of these players is a challenge. Replacing both of them doubles the challenge, but also presents a wealth of opportunity for the players who remain.

The Candidates

The Buckeyes’ leading returning rusher is sophomore James Peoples, who finished fourth on the team last year with 197 yards rushing on 49 attempts (4.0 ypc). Redshirt freshman Sam Williams-Dixon entered the transfer portal towards the end of last season but has since withdrawn from the portal. He carried the ball seven times for 53 yards last year.

Running backs coach Carlos Locklyn went into the portal and signed West Virginia senior CJ Donaldson, who has 2,058 career rushing yards to his ledger. The Buckeyes also signed three running backs in the 2025 recruiting class. Bo Jackson is a Cleveland native. Isaiah West comes from the same high school as Marvin Harrison, Jr. and Kyle McCord. Turbo Rogers decommitted from Alabama to sign with Ohio State.

Spring Outlook

Of the six names listed above, five will be taking part in spring practice. Turbo Rogers was one of just a small handful of incoming freshmen who did not enroll early. That will put him behind his classmates when he arrives in June, but there will still be time to catch up.

CJ Donaldson is the most experienced of the group, but he’s also new to the program. He and James Peoples will likely be leading the way in the spring. Sam Williams-Dixon’s return gives the running back room a talented player who has already been through spring ball before.

Bo Jackson and Isaiah West will both be able to get some good reps this spring as they look to prove themselves heading into the summer and fall camp. There are quite a few unknowns heading into spring ball, which should make for an interesting and entertaining month of practice.

Best Bet

Without CJ Donaldson on campus, James Peoples would be the expected starter this season. He didn’t get to show a ton last year, mainly getting opportunities in blowouts when defenses knew the run was coming. He is a much more complete back than Ohio State needed to show last year.

Donaldson rushed for over 500 yards in each of his first three seasons at West Virginia, with the last two each going over 700 yards. He is accustomed to sharing the load with another running back — and also a run-heavy quarterback. He hasn’t come to OSU looking for 20 carries a game, but Carlos Locklyn is confident that he’ll always ready for it should the need arise.

Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon saw first-hand how well a two-back attack can work for the players and the team. The incoming freshmen also understand that or else Locklyn wouldn’t have been able to land three backs in the same class.

Expect James Peoples and CJ Donaldson to lead the way this year, but it’s a long season and there will be opportunities for others to make plays. It’s a young group overall, but one with plenty of promise.