The transfer portal officially opened Monday, and Jaylen Johnson is Ohio State’s first entrant.
A redshirt freshman safety who did not play in any games in his two seasons with the Buckeyes, Johnson entered the portal on Monday morning, the first day of the transfer portal’s new entry window that will allow players to enter the portal for the next 45 days, an Ohio State spokesperson confirmed.
A three-star safety from La Salle High School in Cincinnati, Johnson’s chances of earning early playing time for the Buckeyes took an immediate hit when he tore his ACL prior to the 2021 season, sidelining him for his entire true freshman year. While Johnson was available to play this year, he was buried on the Buckeyes’ safety depth chart behind a multitude of players including Ronnie Hickman, Lathan Ransom, Tanner McCalister, Josh Proctor, Cameron Martinez and true freshmen Sonny Styles and Kye Stokes.
Johnson has three remaining years of collegiate eligibility.
