Devin Royal, the native Ohioan and two-year starter at forward for Ohio State, will spend the final season of his college career at a new school.
Royal will enter the transfer portal when it opens on April 7 after three seasons with the Buckeyes and will set out to find a spot for his senior year, per 247Sports.
NEWS: Ohio State forward Devin Royal intends to enter the transfer portal, source tells @247Sports
— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) March 29, 2026
Royal averaged 13.7 points and 5.7 rebounds this season. pic.twitter.com/jIDLK8sq4x
Royal started 32 games for Ohio State in 2025-26, picking up 13.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting 47.6% from the field. That was a dip from his 52.5% shooting rate in 2024-25, but he did improve as a 3-point shooter, going from 27.6% to 31.6%. He picked up 13.7 points and 6.9 rebounds in 2024-25, his first year as a starter.
A four-star prospect in the class of 2023, Royal cut his teeth at power forward in 32 games, averaging 4.2 points per game. After emerging as Ohio State's starter at the position in 2024-25, he chose to slide over to small forward and fill a need for the Buckeyes. But there were challenges on the horizon for Royal to remain a starter.
Amare Bynum emerged as a star at power forward throughout his freshman season, and Ohio State has five-star small forward Anthony Thompson arriving this offseason. If the top-10 prospect lived up to his billing, there wasn't a clear spot for Royal in the Buckeyes' 2026-27 starting lineup.
Royal finishes his Ohio State career as a member of its 1,000-point club, with 1,018 total in his career wearing Scarlet and Gray. His departure leaves Colin White as the Buckeyes' current backup small forward should Thompson start and Ivan Njegovan as their top reserve in the frontcourt. OSU will aim to add depth back via the portal, however.
