You’re Nuts: This or That - Which OSU RB will have a bigger season?

You’re Nuts: This or That - Which OSU RB will have a bigger season?

From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about the Buckeyes we expect to excel this season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all our “This or That” articles here.

Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.

In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.

This week’s topic: Which Ohio State RB will have a bigger season?

Josh’s Take

When former Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal following last season, some fans and CFB insiders were surprised. When Ohio State was mentioned as a potential landing spot, many were stunned. And when Judkins ultimately committed to the Buckeyes, most assumed that his impending arrival meant – or would mean – the end of TreVeyon Henderson’s time in Columbus.

Instead, Henderson reaffirmed his own commitment to the Scarlet and Gray just a few days later, after speaking with Ryan Day and even advocating for the addition of Judkins. Henderson fully embraced the idea of sharing the backfield and playing alongside Judkins, displaying the former’s exemplary leadership and unselfish, team-first attitude.

As a result of the actions above, Ohio State now boasts two truly elite RB options. ESPN ranked Henderson and Judkins No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, at their position in March, while just about every media outlet in existence has ranked the Buckeyes’ duo as the best (duo) in CFB. So in other words, OSU has a problem on its hands — The best sort of problem.

But how will Day and Ohio State’s new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly divvy up the backfield touches to adequately feed both of their dynamic RBs? Will one be featured over the other? Will Henderson and Judkins line up next to each other and/or be on the field at the same time? Does any of this matter?

No, I for one don’t think that it does. If Henderson and Judkins both remain relatively healthy, there is no doubt in my mind that OSU will challenge the likes of UCF, Penn State, and/or Miami for the best or most productive rushing attack among P5 teams. Because the Buckeyes also have a capable running quarterback in Will Howard, who I think we all assume will be named the team’s starter sooner rather than later.

But I digress. Today kicks off This or That week here at LGHL, so Gene and I decided to debate which Ohio State RB will have a more productive season. Hopefully you saw this coming after the first few paragraphs.

I wrestled with the decision, but ultimately decided that I am going to go with Henderson for a few reasons.

First and foremost, I believe that Henderson is the more dynamic runner. I’m not sure what Judkins’ 40 time is, but I’m willing to bet that Henderson’s is faster. The “homegrown” Buckeye also boasts a career average of 6.2 YPC, while the former Rebel sits at 5.0 even, with his 2023 average dropping to 4.3. Not to say that Judkins lacks explosiveness and/or should be held solely responsible for last season’s dropoff, I just view Henderson as the “lightning” in OSU’s backfield.

Additionally, I believe that Henderson is the better pass catcher and will be used as such in 2024. Excluding 2022 when he was banged up and C.J. Stroud had no reason to target his RBs in the passing game, Henderson has 46 receptions for roughly 550 yards in 21 games played. Judkins, on the other hand, has 37 receptions in 26 games... for 281 yards. Again, no indictment on Judkins; it’s just clear that he was more of a dump-off option for Ole Miss. Whereas Henderson has shown at least some downfield pass-catching prowess.

And finally, I think that Henderson will technically be RB1 for Ohio State. Because I just don’t think that he came back to play second fiddle to Judkins or anyone else. Even if it means one more carry per game (in most games), I think that Henderson will be viewed as “the guy”, with Judkins taking on more of a Miyan Willams-type role. And more touches usually equals more or greater production.

Could I be wrong? Abso-freaking-lutely. And I wouldn’t even be upset. Because I believe that Henderson and Judkins will both be super productive and help elevate the Buckeyes’ offense to a championship level. But I had to choose one, so give me the efficient homerun hitter.

Gene’s Take

As Josh already laid out, Ohio State truly has an embarrassment of riches at the running back position. It isn’t a surprise to see the Buckeyes with a talented backfield, with names like Ezekiel Elliott, Curtis Samuel, J.K. Dobbins, Trey Sermon, Miyan Williams and others toting the rock over the last decade. Still, even with all those big names, Ohio State hasn’t quite had a duo like they have right now with TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins.

Both of these guys are true RB1’s, they just happen to be on the same team. Henderson came to Ohio State as part of the 2021 class as the No. 1 RB and No. 23 player nationally on the 247Sports Composite, and since has ran for over 2,700 yards on 6.2 yards per carry with 32 touchdowns and another 500-plus yards and five scores through the air. Judkins, meanwhile, is a new addition to the Buckeyes by way of Ole Miss, where he also eclipsed 2,700 yards on the ground with 31 TDs in just TWO seasons, compared to three for Henderson (albeit, with some injury trouble).

These are two of the top three running backs in the country, alongside Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon, and Ryan Day and Chip Kelly get to enjoy the luxury of having both on the same roster. That being said, we have seen the Buckeyes struggle to properly deploy a two-back system before — see: Dobbins and Mike Weber in 2018 — so there is an aspect of overthinking that needs to be avoided with a situation like this. But I don't think Ohio State will have similar issues with this duo, as both players are simply too talented for it not to work.

In terms of my answer, I’m going to take the cop-out and say that both will lead the Buckeyes, but in different categories.

Henderson is the more top-end speed runner of the two. Not to say that Judkins is slow by any means, but Henderson is the biggest home run threat on a down-to-down basis, and so I think it will be Tre that leads Ohio State in rushing yards this season. On the flip side, Judkins is a more bruising back and comes from the allegedly more physical SEC, and so he may be able to solve some of the Buckeyes’ red zone rushing issues, resulting in more touchdowns for the Rebels transfer.

I’m not saying that Henderson is going to be the RB1 with Judkins as purely a red zone option, because that would be a very silly way to use these guys. It will likely be a drive-by-drive sort of thing, based on game feel, and you will always have the option of spelling one guy with another when they need a breather. I just think their skillsets will play themselves in such a way that Henderson ends up leading the team in rushing yards, while Judkins leads the team in rushing touchdowns.

Is it possible that Ohio State could have two 1,000-yard rushers this season? The Buckeyes were close in 2018 with Dobbins finishing with 1,053 and Weber with 954, and that rushing attack was nothing to write home about. With the talent Ohio State has now at running back and with the added bonus of Chip Kelly’s propensity to run the football, I think it is not only possible, but likely we see both Henderson and Judkins go over 1,000 yards in 2024.