Former Pike Road and current Browns running back Judkins returns home for camp
Former Pike Road star and current Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins held his first football camp at the school over the weekend.
By TIM GAYLE
PIKE ROAD -- Approximately 100 young men took the field on Saturday morning for Quinshon Judkins’ first football camp at Pike Road High School.
Several of those got to test their abilities in pass catching drills against the Cleveland Browns running back and all of them lined up at the end of the camp and raced Judkins to the end zone, creating lasting memories for the participants.
“That’s why I didn’t let them beat me,” Judkins said.
He showed no lasting effects from the dislocated ankle and broken leg that sidelined him late in his rookie season five months ago, outrunning all challengers to the end zone to cap a successful debut for his Human First Foundation Youth Football Camp.
“It was (designed) just for the kids to go through drills and just seeing the athleticism,” Judkins said, “but I also wanted to make it fun. Midway through, I was like, you know, I think it would be dope if we just have the kids compete, do some one-on-one drills, not only versus their peers but also versus me. These are some memories they’ll never forget.”
Judkins helped lead the Patriots to the Class 5A state championship in 2021 before signing with Ole Miss and becoming the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year in 2022. He transferred to Ohio State in 2024 and helped the Buckeyes to the national championship before being drafted in the second round in the 2025 draft by the Browns.
“As one of the young men that helped make Pike Road what Pike Road is, a statewide brand, to come back and give back to his community a free camp, taking time out of his busy, busy schedule, I couldn’t be more proud of who he is and how he’s representing our program and our community,” Pike Road coach Granger Shook said.
Judkins and his mother Teva approached Shook with an idea of holding a youth football camp at the school. Shook responded by using assistant coaches and players as staff for the camp.
“I think this community and the impact I have on the younger generation of kids, I feel like it’s important for not only them see me and what I do in my profession but also see me outside of that element, being involved in the community and that role model that I am,” Judkins said.
“This is my first annual camp here at Pike Road, but this is definitely something I want to do in the future. Next year, I’ll definitely bring some (teammates), someone who can throw better than me.”
Judkins squeezed in Saturday’s camp between a pair of OTAs (organized team activities) held during the middle of the week. The Browns running back impressed head coach Todd Monken with his workouts earlier this week and will return to the field on Tuesday for the second round of OTAs. The Browns will hold a minicamp on June 9-11, hoping to build on last season’s 5-12 finish.
“I’m really excited just for our team to add more tools and people around our offense, being able to produce,” Judkins said. “Also, just have those guys have the same mindset as us, the younger guys on the team, and building that culture.”