For the second year in a row, a player out of Ohio State selected in the second round by the Cleveland Browns has been arrested and charged with domestic violence. While the legal process has yet to play out for running back Quinshon Judkins, damage is already being done and it could get significantly worse both for the player and the organization. Plenty is at stake.
About six months ago, Judkins was hailed as a hero, scoring three touchdowns to help the Buckeyes win a national championship. A few months later, many fans of both the Buckeyes and Browns were elated when Judkins was announced as the 36th pick in the draft. Now, he's at risk of undermining all of the goodwill he's built up in the state over the past 18 months as he is charged for domestic violence and battery in Broward County, Florida.
That's what is at stake for the player, which is bad enough. What makes it worse is both the fact the organization just went through a similar situation last year with Mike Hall Jr., their second-round defensive tackle. Even as Hall was the first selection in the draft for the Browns in 2024 as opposed to Judkins being the third this year, Hall plays a less glamorous position and is part of a rotation.
Everyone mildly aware of Ohio State football knew who Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson and Will Howard were this past season. They may not be as familiar with defensive tackle Tyleik Williams. Nevertheless, Williams was selected in the first round.
Judkins is not only to be a significant part of the plan for the Browns on offense both this season and moving forward. He was naturally going to be one of the faces of it just as Nick Chubb was before him.
Judkins isn't just a talented player. He is likeable and charismatic. He has embraced the challenging task of trying to replace a legend in Nick Chubb with a smile on his face. The Browns have leaned into that as much as Judkins. Now, his reputation will be damaged and this will cause many to revisit the departure of Chubb. The fact of the matter is that Chubb's injuries make it almost impossible for him to be the player the Browns need. Judkins at least has a chance. However, the fact that fans won't have Chubb and are being forced to reckon with another player on their roster connected to violence against a woman is understandably tilting.