The Browns get a couple key talents after resolved issues
Two college football stars find NFL future in Cleveland following legal troubles originally appeared on The Sporting News
At the conclusion of the 2024-25 College Football season, two names were on most NFL Draft analysts’ Big Boards as prospects expected to be drafted relatively high. In both examples, each player came from an elite blue blood program. Both competed in the College Football Playoff and were thought of as future NFL contributors with tremendous upside. However, both of their NFL futures took a significant hit due to legal issues.
Ohio State Running Back Quinshon Judkins
Judkins was a one-year contributor to Ohio State after transferring from Ole Miss. In his first season with Ole Miss he amassed almost 1,600 yards on 273 carries and 16 touchdowns with a 5.7 yards per carry average. All told, Judkins finished his college career with almost 4,000 yards on 739 carries and 45 touchdowns, while still maintaining an impressive 5.1 yards per carry for his career. Judkins also helped Ohio State win their ninth National Championship.
Judkins was arrested in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence and battery. The arrest came five days after the alleged offense took place. Judkins was released on $2,500 bond. In the thirty-three days since the arrest, the Cleveland Browns and the NFL League office provided very little commentary beyond allowing the legal process to run its course.
Texas Wide Receiver Isaiah Bond
Bond was also a one-year contributor for the University of Texas after transferring from Alabama. Unlike Judkins, Bond’s first year was rather unimpressive with 220 yards and a touchdown on 17 receptions. In his three-year college career, Bond finished with a shade under 1,500 yards, 10 touchdowns on 99 receptions. He was viewed as the wide receiver No. 2 on the same Texas team that included Matthew Golden (drafted 23rd overall to the Packers). Bond and the Longhorns would be the fifth-seed in the College Football Playoff and beat No. 12 Clemson and No. 4 Arizona State, before losing the Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl to Ohio State, the eventual National Champions.
In April of this year, prior to the NFL Draft, Bond was arrested on an outstanding warrant for sexual assault. This case had additional details as a text thread was revealed that included Bond asking the victim to sign an NDA as well as a financial settlement. Despite Bond maintaining his innocence. After being released on $25,000 bond, he was expected to be drafted in the top fifty picks but went undrafted.
Both cases were resolved within hours on the same day
On Thursday, while both cases are completely unrelated, both cases met their end on the same day. In the case of Judkins, the Broward County attorney’s office declined to pursue the case due to a lack of evidence and conflicting statements from Judkins and the alleged victim. As for Bond’s case, the Collin County Texas Grand Jury returned a decision of “no bill”. That decision reveals that the state of Texas is choosing not to indict Bond on those charges. Both cases have resulted in no legal action beyond discovery and hearings. Neither case made it to trial.
— isaiah “007” bond (@isaiahbond_) August 14, 2025
Next steps
Judkins, who has still not signed a rookie contract, is expected to return to Browns camp in the coming days. Bond had not signed with an NFL team. Earlier today as the news came in that Bond will not face legal discipline, he announced via his social media that he intends to sign with the Browns. In a social media post, he included a typed letter on his representations’ letterhead thanking the Cleveland Browns front office and ownership for “believing in me”.
The curious nature of both cases was only made more intriguing with both players who were essentially exonerated within hours of each other on the same day will both be continuing their NFL journey with Cleveland. That’s noteworthy in an NFL landscape that for some time has been willing to punish teams for acquiring players who end up in legal trouble. While every team has its fair share of issues to deal with, the Browns have been rather consistent on taking calculated risks with certain players.
In addition to Judkins and Bond, the Browns second round pick last year Michael Hall Jr was arrested for domestic violence. Hall pleaded no contest for a reduced sentence. The NFL suspended Hall for 5 games for violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. All of which seem to pale in comparison to the legal gauntlet that came after the Browns traded for and paid Deshaun Watson a then record $243 million dollar, fully guaranteed contract before any of his sexual assault allegations had been resolved.
Bond’s premature announcement
According to Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal and Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, no deal with Bond has been signed. The Browns, who have followed his situation since the pre-draft process are still doing some due diligence on Bond before a final decision is made. Regardless of the timing or optics, the Browns could address some roster concerns with the return of Judkins and the possible, eventual addition of Isaiah Bond.
Now that the legal process has concluded, the Browns will wait and see what discipline is levied on behalf of the NFL league office as it pertains to the personal conduct policy.
MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS:
Category: General Sports
