Another Buckeye makes an entrance into Ohio State Football
There will be another loss to the Ohio State football team’s roster. Joe Royer, a tight end, has logged into the transfer portal.
Since backup tight end Joe Royer announced his intention to enter the transfer portal, the Ohio State football team has now lost 14 players from its roster. With two seasons of eligibility remaining, Royer struggled with injuries last season and was never able to establish a consistent role in Columbus.
The most well-known aspect of Royer’s career was his excellent replacement during Georgia’s 2022 Peach Bowl loss due to Cade Stover’s injury. He only made one catch during that game, but he blocked runs fairly well. Royer had just one reception for five yards against Minnesota at the end of the 2023 campaign.
I’m a little surprised by this one because Royer was supposed to have a chance to play in 2024. With Cade Stover joining the NFL, the only other player remaining with actual game experience is Gee Scott.
Perhaps Royer realized that true freshman Jelani Thurman is anticipated to make significant progress in the upcoming season. Thurman is a player with a ton of natural ability and talent, ranking among the top 100 in the 2022 class. Throughout the spring and summer, he and Scott should be in competition for the starting position.
Additionally, I wouldn’t be shocked if Ohio State’s tight ends coach, Keenan Bailey, pursued an accomplished tight end through the transfer portal. They most definitely needed one.
This Ohio State football team will look completely different, particularly up top. This offseason will be challenging for offensive coordinator Brian Hartline and head coach Ryan Day. There will be a ton of turnover in Columbus this spring between trying to figure out the skill position players and getting a new quarterback ready.
