‘Nature calls’ – Chaos unfolds as NFL draft pick misses phone call from Cleveland Browns while in bathroom
Quinshon Judkins is heading to the NFL, but he was the last person at his draft party to realize. When the Cleveland Browns war room called to let him know they were taking him at No. 36 in the 2025 draft, the running back was in the bathroom. Judkins was in the bathroom when his draft call came on Friday nightGetty Talk about bad timing. In amusing footage captured by ESPN, Judkins’ family were seen panicking as his phone rang, as they tried to figure out exactly what to do. They eventually decided to answer the call, and were seen celebrating before the man of the moment came back into the room. A somewhat bewildered Judkins was then handed the phone, and once he realized who was on the other end of the video call, he asked for everyone to quiet down so he could talk to general manager Andrew Berry and the Browns. For their part, Berry and his staff were also laughing about the situation in Cleveland. “When nature calls, sometimes that beats out when the Browns call,” Mike Greenberg joked on ESPN’s coverage. The Browns selected Judkins early in the second round of the 2025 draft, with assistant general manager Glenn Cook describing him as an AFC North ‘back’. “He brings the brand of football that we want,” Cook said. “Exceptionally strong, physical, tough, productive three-down guy. I know (running backs coach) Duce (Staley) is extremely excited.” Judkins spent the first two seasons of his college career at Ole Miss, where he racked up 545 carries for 2,725 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns. Judkins’ family first appeared panicked as his phone rang on draft dayX: @awfulannouncing His party then picked up the call, to the amusement of the Browns’ war roomX: @awfulannouncing Judkins finally returned to the room to hear news that he had been selectedX: @awfulannouncing In addition, he also had 37 receptions for 281 receiving yards and three touchdowns. During his freshman year in 2022, Judkins led the SEC with 274 carries, 1,567 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. He then transferred to Ohio State for the 2024 season, where he recorded another 194 carries for 1,060 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. “I feel like for myself, that was a positive for me,” Judkins said of playing in the SEC and the Big Ten. “Just having to play in the two hardest conferences in college football and playing in two different environments where I feel like the SEC has a different style of play than the Big Ten as well, they’re just too different. “But getting the opportunity to play in both of them has helped me excel and further my career and be better as a player.” Judkins joins the Browns with hopes of re-establishing their running gameGetty He has joined Cleveland after Chubb became a free agent running backGetty The rookie joins a Browns running back room that also includes Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr. He adds depth to the position for Cleveland, which became important after Nick Chubb hit free agency at the start of the new league year. The Browns will be hoping Judkins can help re-establish their run game in 2025, and in turn, boost an offense and team that is looking to improve on a 3-14 record last year. Cleveland had also been linked with drafting Shedeur Sanders, who’s NFL future is still undecided after an unprecedented free fall.
Quinshon Judkins is heading to the NFL, but he was the last person at his draft party to realize.
When the Cleveland Browns war room called to let him know they were taking him at No. 36 in the 2025 draft, the running back was in the bathroom.
Talk about bad timing.
In amusing footage captured by ESPN, Judkins’ family were seen panicking as his phone rang, as they tried to figure out exactly what to do.
They eventually decided to answer the call, and were seen celebrating before the man of the moment came back into the room.
A somewhat bewildered Judkins was then handed the phone, and once he realized who was on the other end of the video call, he asked for everyone to quiet down so he could talk to general manager Andrew Berry and the Browns.
For their part, Berry and his staff were also laughing about the situation in Cleveland.
“When nature calls, sometimes that beats out when the Browns call,” Mike Greenberg joked on ESPN’s coverage.
The Browns selected Judkins early in the second round of the 2025 draft, with assistant general manager Glenn Cook describing him as an AFC North ‘back’.
“He brings the brand of football that we want,” Cook said.
“Exceptionally strong, physical, tough, productive three-down guy. I know (running backs coach) Duce (Staley) is extremely excited.”
Judkins spent the first two seasons of his college career at Ole Miss, where he racked up 545 carries for 2,725 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns.
In addition, he also had 37 receptions for 281 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
During his freshman year in 2022, Judkins led the SEC with 274 carries, 1,567 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns.
He then transferred to Ohio State for the 2024 season, where he recorded another 194 carries for 1,060 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.
“I feel like for myself, that was a positive for me,” Judkins said of playing in the SEC and the Big Ten.
“Just having to play in the two hardest conferences in college football and playing in two different environments where I feel like the SEC has a different style of play than the Big Ten as well, they’re just too different.
“But getting the opportunity to play in both of them has helped me excel and further my career and be better as a player.”
The rookie joins a Browns running back room that also includes Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr.
He adds depth to the position for Cleveland, which became important after Nick Chubb hit free agency at the start of the new league year.
The Browns will be hoping Judkins can help re-establish their run game in 2025, and in turn, boost an offense and team that is looking to improve on a 3-14 record last year.
Cleveland had also been linked with drafting Shedeur Sanders, who’s NFL future is still undecided after an unprecedented free fall.
