Ryan Day addresses Ohio State's approach to splitting carries between TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins
Ohio State has a great problem to have in how they utilize arguably the best rushing duo in college football with TreVeyon Henderson and former Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins.
Ryan Day addressed that dynamic in the Buckeyes’ run game again during his press conference on Tuesday. He said they have yet to discuss or decide who is officially going to take the first snap at running back in their opener on Saturday. Still, Henderson and Judkins, along with other Ohio State running backs, are going to get their share of opportunities against Akron.
“Yeah, I don’t think Lock has decided that yet but they’re both rolling in practice,” said Day. “We’re going to get our money’s worth this week with the heat, you know. So we’re going to be rolling these guys pretty good. James (Peoples) is going to get in there as well. So, you know, we haven’t really talked about that right now.”
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In a clarification later on, Day said that Ohio State has a range of how many snaps that he wants each of his rushers to have. As for the actual numbers, though, he said it’ll be a matter that figures itself out over the fall.
“I mean, yeah, I think you have an idea of how many carries you’d like to see for each guy but you don’t know how it’s going to shake. Lock is going to get a feel for that. He’ll be responsible for, you know, handling the substitution pattern there,” Day continued. “These things seem to have a way of working themselves out. You know, it seems to be a topic of conversation sometimes this time of year. Like, how’s it all going to go? You know, I think we get a feel for it, you know, and assess it after the first game.”
This also depends on how they adjust to the addition of Judkins on offense. The Buckeyes have had Henderson for three seasons but this will be their debut with Judkins after he transferred in from Ole Miss. That alone changes a lot for the Buckeye backfield without it also including the other rushers in that equation.
“You know, this will be the first time for Quinshon that we’ve been in a game with him,” Day added. “It’ll be interesting to see, you know, as we go, how he goes as the game goes and the type of back that he is as the game wears on.”
In the end, it’s likely not going to matter who is the starter. Both are likely carrying the ball a ton over the course of this season in Columbus. That’s why Day is just ready to hand it off to them and let them go on the ground.
“Those guys are rolling and they’re both going to get a bunch of reps on Saturday,” Day said. “I’m excited to see these guys run.”