LONDON — No one has to convince Browns running back Quinshon Judkins that fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel will bring the juice on Sunday when he makes his NFL starting debut against the Vikings here.
Judkins faced Gabriel twice in 2024 when he was with Ohio State and Judkins was starring for the Oregon Ducks. Gabriel, who’s 63 starts are most in Division 1 football history, got the best of the Buckeyes in the first meeting, but Ohio State beat the Ducks in the College Football Playoffs, 41-21 in the Rose Bowl en route to their national championship.
“I saw him play twice when he was at Oregon, so I know his style of play,” Judkins said Wednesday at The Grove, where the Browns are staying and practicing here. “He’s a very fierce competitor, so I’m excited to see him go out there and tear it up.”
In the first meeting, a 32-31 Oregon victory, Gabriel went 23 of 34 for 341 yards with two TDs and no interceptions en route to a 171.3 rating. He also rushed four times for 32 yards and a TD. In the second meeting, despite the Ducks losing, Gabriel threw for 299 yards and two TDs en route to a 148.1 rating.
“Dillon is a guy who’s super mobile, he’s very smart, obviously talented, and I’m just excited to see how well he goes out there and plays,” Judkins said. “He’s just an even-keel guys who’s super-competitive.”
With Gabriel in the game, the Browns will take advantage of his mobility and get him out of the pocket for shorter, snappier passes to his skill players on the run. Known for his lightning-quick processing speed, Gabriel should pick up the pace of the Browns’ sluggish offense.
“That’s what all our quarterbacks do,” Judkins said. “They do a great job of getting us the ball, all the playmakers around the field so we can go out there and just showcase our skillset and put our best foot forward.”
Judkins, who’s rushed for 94 and 82 yards in the past two weeks, is also coming into his own in the passing game. During last week’s 34-10 loss to the Lions, he caught all four of his targets for 33 yards, including a long gain of 16. The Browns, who lead the league with seven dropped passes, will need all hands on deck on Sunday for Gabriel to succeed.
“That’s what you have to do regardless,” Judkins said. “And that’s what it takes to win football games and be a super high-level, high-efficient team. It’s everybody to do their job, hold each other accountable, play fast, play hard. It don’t matter if it’s Dillon, it’s me or any o-lineman or any receiver we have on our team. We believe in each and every one of our guys and we know they’ll do their job.”
Judkins has actually known Gabriel since the running back was at Ole Miss as a freshman, and Gabriel was at Oklahoma.
“Knowing who he is as a competitor, I’ve seen him throughout his college career as he’s seen mine as well,” Judkins said. “So for us to finally be able to play together, it’s a very fun and exciting time I think for both of us. And I would say him as a competitor and that energy that he brings, he’s like that all the time since the first day we stepped into minicamp when we first both got drafted here. So like I said, I’m just excited to see him go out there and do his thing.”
Judkins knows that a strong running game will be a key to making Gabriel’s first start a success, and he plans to do his part. The Vikings are 24th in run defense with a 130.3 yards per game, and Judkins should be able to find some holes.
“For myself, ultimately my mindset is to get a win,” he said. “I’ve just got to go back to the drawing board and try to be better, all around the board. I feel like you can always be better as a competitor and improve your game. So just to go out there and help my team win at the end of the day is my main focus.”
And now that he’s on the same team as one of his fiercest rivals, it will make a victory that much sweeter.
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