TreVeyon Henderson took the unusual step of returning to school for a fourth season as a high-profile running back. The decision put more mileage on the four-year Ohio State cog’s odometer, but the arrival of Quinshon Judkins lightened the workload. Both players are now part of a deep RB class, with each candidates to potentially become first-round picks.
A four-year Buckeyes contributor, Henderson offers an all-around skillset that has naturally attracted considerable interest during the pre-draft process. Three potential suitors have emerged. The Bengals, Cowboys and Panthers met with Henderson, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler and Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board ranks Henderson 34th and Judkins 38th, and Schultz adds Henderson has gone through with Zoom meetings with teams beyond the above-referenced trio. Although Ashton Jeanty and North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton are regarded as the top two backs in this year’s class, the Buckeye pair may not last long into Round 2 — if the 1,000-1,000 duo makes it there at all.
While Judkins transferred from Ole Miss in 2024, Henderson arrived in Columbus as a five-star recruit in 2021. Injuries slowed the highly touted back in 2022 and ’23, calling into question a decision to stay in school rather than risk another setback before rookie-contract money emerged. But NIL has changed the college landscape, offering chances for players to cash in while still in college. Henderson capitalized and stayed healthy in 2024, boosting his stock during Ohio State’s national championship-winning season.
Although Judkins led the team in rushing, Henderson (1,016 yards), averaged a career-best 7.1 on 144 carries. (Henderson averaged 6.8 per tote on 183 carries in 2021.) That 183-handoff season was Henderson’s highwater mark, adding to the pre-draft appeal. Henderson also has displayed more as a receiver compared to his one-year teammate, an element that has created a three-down profile and increases the prospect it might take a Day 1 pick to add him.
The Cowboys may not be the team to use a first-round pick on a running back, and while the team met with Jeanty and Hampton, ESPN.com’s Jordan Reid indicates Dallas has also expressed interest in adding one of the Buckeye backs in Round 2. The Cowboys hold the Nos. 12 and 44 picks to open their draft.
Cincinnati also scheduled a Judkins visit. The team did not see its Zack Moss agreement lead to reliable production, and while the former Bills and Colts contributor is still under contract, Chase Brown emerged as a better option. Questions about Brown’s three-down ability have come, and the Bengals’ meetings with the 2024 Ohio State duo may well confirm internal uncertainty there.
Carolina made the first RB pick in last year’s draft, one that did not feature a backfield crop on the level of the 2025 cadre. The Panthers would seemingly be on the lookout for a Chuba Hubbard complement, having extended the former Matt Rhule fourth-round pick before seeing 2024 second-rounder Jonathon Brooks suffer a second ACL tear. Brooks’ return window may not open until late in the 2025 season, and with two ACL tears in two years, his NFL trajectory has been altered.
The Commanders have come up as another team that could be interested, as Reid suggests RB could be an early area the team addresses. Brian Robinson is entering a contract year, and Austin Ekeler has battled injuries over the past two seasons. The pass-catching back will turn 30 in May. The Broncos are planning to draft a back, and it would not surprise if the team — one that may be lacking a starter-level option — dives in early.