Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins was arrested Saturday, July 12, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on a domestic violence and battery charge. According to Fort Lauderdale Police and Broward County arrest records, Judkins remained in jail as of Saturday night and was scheduled for an initial court appearance on Sunday morning.
The Cleveland Browns organization has acknowledged the situation, with a team spokesperson stating they are “aware and gathering more details.” This development comes at a critical time for Judkins, who was selected by the Browns as the No. 36 overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He is currently the only member of the Browns’ seven-player draft class who has yet to sign his rookie contract. Browns rookies are slated to report for training camp on July 18, adding urgency to the situation.
The specific charge listed in Judkins’ inmate details is battery and domestic violence via “touch or strike.” Further details regarding the alleged incident have not yet been publicly released. The arrest casts a shadow over the promising start to Judkins’ professional career, as he was expected to play a significant role in the Browns’ revamped backfield.
Judkins, a highly touted prospect, had a stellar collegiate career before declaring for the NFL Draft. He began his college football journey at Ole Miss, where he played for two seasons (2022-2023). During his time with the Rebels, Judkins amassed an impressive 2,725 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns on 545 carries. He set multiple school records, including single-season rushing yards (1,567 in 2022) and rushing touchdowns (16 in 2022). His exceptional performance earned him numerous accolades, including CBS National Freshman of the Year, SEC Freshman of the Year, and two first-team All-SEC selections (Ole Miss Sports).
Following the 2023 season, Judkins transferred to Ohio State for the 2024 season. With the Buckeyes, he continued to demonstrate his prowess, rushing for 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was a key contributor to Ohio State’s 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship victory (Ohio State Buckeyes). His overall collegiate career statistics include 3,785 rushing yards, 45 rushing touchdowns, and 50 total touchdowns across 42 games, with 26 starts (Wikipedia).
The Browns drafted Judkins with the expectation that he would help fill the void left by the departure of longtime running back Nick Chubb. He was anticipated to split carries with Jerome Ford, who has taken on a more prominent role in recent seasons due to Chubb’s injuries. Cleveland also added Dylan Sampson from Tennessee in the fourth round of the 2025 draft as part of their efforts to rebuild their running back corps (CBS Sports).
The arrest of Quinshon Judkins introduces significant uncertainty for both the player and the Cleveland Browns as they approach training camp. The NFL’s personal conduct policy dictates that the league will review all incidents involving players, and potential disciplinary actions could follow the legal process. As more details emerge from the ongoing investigation and court proceedings, the full impact on Judkins’ future with the Browns and in the NFL will become clearer.
