For years, Jim Harbaugh battled Ohio State as the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines. Now, Harbaugh is in a position to coach the next batch of Buckeyes in the NFL as the head coach of the LA Chargers.
The Chargers did not draft a single Ohio State player in the 2024 NFL Draft but did sign former Buckeye J.K. Dobbins. Dobbins ended up being a fruitful signing for the Bolts, which may soften Harbaugh on coaching any of his former rivals (if he had any reservations in the first place).
The Chargers may now turn to another Ohio State running back to bolster the rushing attack next season. Junior Quinshon Judkins officially declared for the 2025 NFL Draft one year early, opening the door to play for the former coach of his biggest college rival.
The Chargers could target Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins in the 2025 NFL Draft
Establishing the run game is an imperative part of Greg Roman's offense and the Chargers were up and down in that regard last season. When it was working with Dobbins leading the way the Chargers were able to put up points against anyone. However, when it wasn't working early the Chargers had a hard time getting it started.
Dobbins very well could be part of the rushing attack next season but the Chargers need to think bigger than just 2025. Even after a mostly healthy 2024 season, Dobbins cannot be trusted as the long-term back, especially with the short shelf live running backs have in the NFL.
The Chargers need to get younger at the position where they can and as promising as Kimani Vidal was coming into the league, it does not appear the coaching staff shared the same excitement as fans. Vidal was hardly active for the Chargers in 2024 with Hassan Haskins usurping him on the depth chart.
Drafting Judkins would be a step in the right direction to get younger in the running back room. The Ohio State back is projected to be taken on day two of the draft and fits perfectly as a physical down-hill runner in Roman's scheme.
There are too many roster needs to take Judkins in the second round but if he falls to the Bolts in the third round then the talent may be too hard to pass up. He may not jump off the page as a speedy back who will outrun defenders, but Judkins' ability to run through contact would instantly make him a valuable member of the Bolts' rushing attack.
If Dobbins doesn't return then the Chargers may be forced to take a running back as early as the second round, which may lead the team to target backs with more explosiveness than Judkins. But if Dobbins returns, Judkins' fit as a complementary back who could eventually develop into a bell-cow back is very intriguing.