Ohio State’s Running Back room features two of the best in the country as TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins spearhead a massively talented group

Unlike some of the other position groups including the quarterback situation, the running back room for the Buckeyes is as comfortable a room as any for the 2024 season. With experience, versatility, and speed, this group will be relied on heavily throughout the season.

TreVeyon Henderson

Starting at the top, TreVeyon Henderson is returning for his fourth season with the scarlet and gray. Henderson has been amongst the best of the best when healthy, and even sharing carries has not altered his ability to produce. In 2021 as a freshman, Henderson totaled 1,248 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, along with 312 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.

He played in all 13 games that year and exploded onto the scene. Against Tulsa in just his third collegiate game, Henderson produced 277 rushing yards on just 24 carries, with three rushing touchdowns. As a sophomore in 2022, Henderson played in just eight games and missed time down the stretch. He had 571 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns with a 5.3 average yards per carry.

Last season, he played in ten total games and we saw flashes of the young Henderson from years prior. He had games of 162, 146, 128, and 104 rushing yards all in the last seven games he played in. He was a threat in the passing game as well, he had games with 80 and 45 receiving yards during that same stretch.

Going into the 2024 season with another talented running back partner, Henderson will be able to stay fresh and make big plays like he has his entire Buckeye career.

Quinshon Judkins

The man who will compliment Henderson is Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins. Judkins has an elite highlight reel of plays in his two seasons with the Rebels. Like Henderson, Judkins was a difference-maker right away for his team. He totaled 1,567 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns as a freshman in the SEC.

He followed that up in 2023, finishing with 1,158 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. Judkins also has 37 catches and three receiving touchdowns in his first two collegiate seasons. With the ability to stay fresh and work off of Henderson, Judkins should be able to retain this success with his new team.

His elite quickness and shifty cuts make him as scary as any back in the country to tackle. However you want to describe Batman and Robin or Jordan and Pippen; Henderson and Judkins are the best running back tandem in all of college football.

Dallan Hayden

Dallan Hayden is going into his third season with Ohio State and after producing during his freshman campaign, struggled to get carries as a sophomore. With the departure of running backs Chip Trayanum, Miyan Williams, and Evan Pryor, Hayden is slated to be locked into the third running back slot for this offense.

Hayden has played very well when given the opportunity, but it is difficult to do given the elite backs the Buckeyes seem to always have. When given touches during the 2022 season, Hayden did the most with them. Against Toledo, he had 17 carries for 108 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Against Indiana, he had 19 carries for 102 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

In his best game of the season, he had a big workload against Maryland, ending with 27 carries for 146 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. This past season, he only saw carries in two games but totaled 110 rushing yards with 5.8 yards per carry. Hayden brings a change of pace and has proven to be consistent. He will provide stability and strength behind the duo of talent ahead of him.

Freshmen

Behind the three backs with experience come two freshmen. James Peoples is a four-star recruit from San Antonio, Texas. According to on3, he was the 8th-ranked running back recruit and 18th-ranked recruit in Texas. In 2022, Peoples tallied 2,044 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns on just 208 carries. He also averaged 1.4 yards per catch and is a great weapon with the ball in his hands.

Joining him is a three-star recruit Sam Williams-Dixon. From Pickerington North High School in Columbus, Williams-Dixon is the 64th-ranked running back prospect and 29th-best recruit in the state of Ohio. He and Peoples will wait their turn and learn from the best in the game, and round out an impressive group of Buckeyes.

With Henderson and Judkins leading the way and Hayden complimenting when needed, this room is arguably the best running back group in the country. With a new face likely under center at quarterback, the backs will be essential to the success of the offense and the team. If they can make plays like many are accustomed to seeing, the Buckeyes can win it all come the new 12-team playoff.