Why Ryan Day said Ohio State's biggest offseason transfer addition has raised his game

No team has pulled off an offseason as impressive as the Ohio State Buckeyes. Coming off a disappointing end to the 2023 season where the Buckeyes appeared to be legitimate national title threats, head coach Ryan Day might've pulled off a legacy-defining set of additions. Between hiring Chip Kelly as his offensive coordinator, and luring top transfer portal talents like Quinshon Judkins and Caleb Downs, the Buckeyes are loaded entering 2024.

 Judkins, the most talented offensive piece added, was especially intriguing. He'll create a ferocious 1-2 punch with incumbent TreVeyon Henderson in Kelly's dynamic rushing offense. On Wednesday, Day had quite the compliment for Judkins.

Ryan Day Praises Quinshon Judkins' Work Ethic

Unsurprisingly, the leading rusher among Power 5 conferences over the last two years is a hard worker. But he's stepped up his game entering this pivotal fall slate. According to Day via 97.1 The Fan, Judkins has "raised his game to another level...since Day 1."

That enthusiasm must have translated from Judkins' initial press conference after joining the Buckeyes. He cited Ohio State's rich history of producing great rushers and the energy around the program as primary motivations to transfer from a stacked Ole Miss team. The move was shocking for many, as Judkins projects as the RB1 and a possible first-round pick in 2025 and didn't need to leave Lane Kiffin's Rebels to get there.

Instead, he'll pair with Henderson to create one of the best running back rooms since Alabama's feared duo of Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram in 2010. Henderson might be the RB2 in next year's class, and had the chance to be the top back taken in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Instead, most of the 2023 Buckeyes roster returned to help save Day's job and elevate the program. Despite constantly being in the mix, Ohio State hasn't won a national title since 2016. With Judkins, Downs, Will Howard, and phenom freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith in town, the Buckeyes should cruise into the expanded College Football Playoff.

Winning a title is clearly the expectation for this roster. But they also need to beat Michigan after losing three straight years. Having two elite coordinators and a beefed-up set of playmakers should help dramatically. Even after losing Marvin Harrison Jr., the Buckeyes will benefit from a steadier hand a QB in Howard, or even the playmaking of freshman sensation Julian Sayin.

The idea of Judkins being better than the player who totaled 2,725 yards and 31 scores on the ground in two seasons is a jaw-dropping one, though. If it's true, Judkins might blow his teammate out of the water and push for a Heisman Trophy. He's that dangerous in Kelly's offense.