Quinshon Judkins transfer from Ole Miss to Ohio State was best thing that happened for his football journey.

Racking up 1,060 yards on the ground with 16 total touchdowns in his one season with the Buckeyes, the mastermind behind it all was running backs coach Carlos Locklyn.

Locklyn, a Montgomery, Alabama native, was hired by head coach Ryan Day in April 2024 after spending the past two seasons at the University of Oregon.

However, his connection to Judkins goes back to when he was Director of High School Relations at Florida State.

“The relationship we have did not just start overnight,” Judkins said Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “He’s been recruiting me since my freshman year of high school. To have that continuous relationship with him meant a lot to me.”

“He taught me so much in my one season with him at Ohio State,” Judkins added. “Just from being accountable to motivating others around me. The lessons he’s taught [TreVeyon Henderson], and I spread across our entire locker room.”

Prior to Locklyn’s hire at Ohio State, Judkins spoke with him discussing his transfer portal plans.

“Before he went to Ohio State me and him had a phone conversation while I was at Oregon about what he was going to do,” Locklyn said Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “For me to end up at Ohio State with him was surreal. To be from Montgomery and have the opportunity to win a national championship was big.”

Locklyn was a four-year letterman at Chattanooga after graduating from Sidney Lanier high school. His 123.9 rushing yards per game is still a school record.

After years of coaching high school in the Tennessee, Locklyn got his start at Memphis before his stops at FSU and Western Kentucky.

During his time in Oregon, Locklyn developed Bucky Irving into an All-Pac 12 running back who had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Irving was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Buckeyes averaged 166.4 rushing yards per game totaling 6,870 total yards on the ground last season, which led to a national championship victory over Notre Dame.

Judkins finished with 11 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns, to go along with two catches for 21 yards and a touchdown against the Fighting Irish.

“His approach and mentality are contagious,” Judkins said. “He brought the energy we needed every day, and I think it’s great what he was able to do with us.”

On top of Judkins success, Henderson flourished under Locklyn with 1,016 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns.

Henderson was also recruited by Locklyn out of high school.

“I had a relationship with TreVeyon recruiting him at Florida State,” Locklyn said. “To have a chance to coach both of them and they rush for 1,000 yards was a joy to see.”

During Judkins media availability in Indianapolis, he spoke about sharing the backfield with Henderson calling it a win/win scenario for both players.

“I think with an outcome of a national championship it’s the perfect situation,” Judkins added. “Obviously as players you don’t think about playing a particular workload, but it worked out in both of our favors.”

Judkins and Henderson are expected to hear their names called in this year’s NFL draft.

As for Locklyn, he’s brining another Alabama high school prospect to Columbus.

Four-star Anthony Rogers out of Carver high school, decommitted from Alabama to join Locklyn and the Buckeyes next season.

In Rogers freshman year, he played alongside Judkins at Pike Road high school. Now filling his shoes at Ohio State, Locklyn is keeping the ‘River Region’ pipeline going for seasons to come.

“I was the first to offer him when was in the 8th grade,” Locklyn said. “To have that relationship with him I’m excited to get him up here. He’s a great kid and I can’t wait to see what does. I’m big on getting kids from the same city I came from.”

Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3 or email him at [email protected].