Then-Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs (2) sets up for a play against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Auburn, Ala.
AP Photo | Vasha Hunt
Ohio State attacked the transfer portal intent on stopping Michigan’s run of Big Ten supremacy.
The same night Michigan clinched the national title with a 34-13 victory over Washington, running back Quinshon Judkins went on social media to announce he was transferring from Mississippi to Ohio State.
Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard and former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin had committed to Ohio State days earlier. Former Alabama safety Caleb Downs joined them less than two weeks later.
They made the decision understanding completely the high demands of a fan base dissatisfied with a Buckeyes program that has gone 11-2 but lost to Michigan each of the last three years.
“Same expectations that I’ve had my whole life,” Downs told reporters. “The same expectations we had at ‘Bama – to win games, dominate every game and go win a championship.”
Ohio State’s transfer class is as star-studded as any to sign with a single school during the portal era. The second-ranked Buckeyes’ other additions include quarterback Julian Sayin (formerly at Alabama), center Seth McLaughlin (Alabama), tight end Will Kacmarek (Ohio), safety Keenan Nelson Jr. (South Carolina), punter Anthony Venneri (Buffalo) and linebacker Joey Velazquez (Michigan).
Judkins comes to Ohio State after rushing for 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns at Ole Miss over the last two seasons. He now will share carries with TreVeyon Henderson, who has 2,745 career yards rushing with the Buckeyes.
“I think we’re both just players that complement each other in every single way,” Judkins told reporters.
Downs was an Associated Press All-America second-team selection last year while making 107 tackles for Alabama, becoming the first freshman in school history to lead the Crimson Tide in that category. McLaughlin started 24 games for the Tide over the last three seasons.
Howard started 28 games at Kansas State and set a school record with 48 career touchdown passes. He led the Wildcats to a Big 12 title in 2022. Now he gets a chance to direct an offense featuring plenty of future NFL talent.
“Everything’s heightened here,” Howard told reporters. “You feel the eyes a little bit. I think the one thing I would say is that I don’t feel I have to be a hero here. I feel like I have the guys around me to where I just need to facilitate and just get them the ball and make good decisions. At the end of the day, I don’t have to go out there and do anything super-human. I just have to be myself and trust the guys around me.”
