Ohio State has one of the highest attrition rates in major college football, simply because Urban Meyer and the coaching staff are not shy about playing the best players, regardless of "seniority." Thus, many transfer from the program. Here's a preview of those who have transferred in recent years and still have eligibility remaining.
Trevon Grimes, Wide Receiver, Florida
Grimes was an extremely hyped player coming out of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale.
Expected to be Ohio State's next great wide receiver, Grimes instead finished his Buckeye career with three catches for 20 yards. He took a leave of absence from the program in order to be with his mother, who was dealing with health issues, then transferred to the University of Florida. Grimes will be eligible to play this season for the Gators.
Alex Stump, Wide Receiver, Vanderbilt
Unlike Grimes, Stump was not a "crown jewel" of Ohio State's recruiting class when he came in. The Cleveland native spent two seasons with the Buckeyes, catching one pass for eight yards before getting passed up on the depth chart and transferring to Vanderbilt.
He did not see game action last year, but enters this season with high hopes in his make-or-break redshirt junior season.
Rodjay Burns, Defensive Back, Louisville
The recruitment of Burns was an interesting one: he was committed to Louisville, then flipped to Ohio State, flipped again to Louisville (never officially de-committed from the Buckeyes, however), back to Ohio State, where he played one season, recorded a tackle, and a pick-six. He is now back in his hometown playing for the Cardinals. He will be a redshirt sophomore this season.
According to an Instagram post, Burns decided to transfer closer to home due to the poor health of his father.
Dylan Thompson, Defensive Tackle, Virginia
Originally not expected to join the Cavaliers after all, the former Buckeye will indeed be in Charlottesville for the upcoming season.
See you in the morning Charlottesville #beatrichmond #beattech pic.twitter.com/qGsgwHtZK9
— Dylan Thompson (@BRONCODE59) August 24, 2018
Thompson never really did big things for the Buckeyes, and was actually taken off scholarship after being ruled academically ineligible. He played in two games last season, and ended his Ohio State career with three tackles and 0.5 tackles for a loss.
Grant Schmidt, Offensive Lineman, South Dakota State
Schmidt was the first Buckeye ever from the state of South Dakota. Unfortunately, it did not work out, and Schmidt transferred from the Buckeyes after one year. He followed coach Luke Fickell to Cincinnati, where he spent one year, but did not play.
After that, he decided to head back to his home state and suit up for the FCS South Dakota State Jackrabbits. He was ineligible to play last season due to NCAA transfer rules, but is expected to crack the rotation this season.
Kevin Feder, Offensive Lineman, Kansas
The big offensive lineman decided to transfer from the Ohio State program after injuries and simply being jumped on the depth chart led playing time to elude Feder.
Blessed to continue my academic and football career in the Big12 at the University of Kansas #RockChalk pic.twitter.com/g1YlR2JLD1
— Six (@Kevin_feder) May 28, 2018
Feder will be a redshirt junior this season for Kansas, one of the worst teams in college football. They need all the help they can get. After graduating from Ohio State, Feder will be eligible to play this season. He never played a snap for the Buckeyes
Wayne Davis, Defensive Back, James Madison
Davis was another Buckeye who simply didn't crack the rotation. After leaving Ohio State, Davis returned to his home state of Virginia to play for James Madison. Due to JMU being an FCS institution, Davis will be eligible to play this season. After redshirting his first year in Columbus, Davis played 10 snaps in his freshman season.
Antonio Williams, Running Back, North Carolina
Yet another player who headed back to their home state, Williams, the New London native, decided to play for the Tar Heels after not being able to usurp Mike Weber, and after being jumped by J.K. Dobbins.
New Chapter! Go Heels! #GDTBATH pic.twitter.com/K60b6dXa7R
— Antonio Williams (@A_B_Williams26) April 23, 2018
Williams actually posted some decent stats during his time in Columbus. Last season, he rushed 57 times for 290 yards and three touchdowns. There is no doubting that Williams has talent, he simply did not have the opportunity to showcase it at Ohio State. He will be immediately eligible to play for North Carolina this season.
Kyle Trout, Offensive Lineman, Cincinnati
Following three years in the Ohio State program, Trout decided to leave Columbus in search of more playing time, and ended up following coach Luke Fickell to Cincinnati. Last season, Trout played in nine games for the Bearcats, six of which he started at left tackle.
Interestingly, despite having announced his transfer, Trout practiced with the Buckeyes during the spring of 2017 before he graduated.
He is expected to be a big piece of the Cincinnati line this season as a senior.
Kierre Hawkins, Tight End, Youngstown State
Another player who will be immediately eligible due to transferring to the FCS level, Hawkins never saw playing time for the Buckeyes after redshirting his first year, then simply riding the bench. He will be a sophomore for the Penguins this season.
Joshua Norwood, Cornerback, West Virginia
A Georgia native, Norwood will now be on his third school in three years when he suits up for the Mountaineers this season.
After redshirting at Ohio State in 2015, Norwood played in 11 games for the Buckeyes in 2016, recording eight tackles. After electing to transfer, Norwood ended up at Northwest Mississippi Community College, a JUCO school. He finished the season third on the team with 71 tackles, and had five pass breakups, three tackles for loss and one interception.
He now joins a Mountaineer team that has somewhat lofty expectations heading into the season. Norwood will be immediately eligible due to his transfer from the JUCO level, and is entering his redshirt junior campaign.
Jack Wohlabaugh, Offensive Lineman, Duke
A low-ranking member of Ohio State's class when he signed, Wohlabaugh really never had a shot to be a valuable member of the Buckeyes.
After two seasons in which he redshirted and then did not see any playing time, Wohlabaugh elected to transfer to Duke.
Excited for what the future holds! pic.twitter.com/iXx1xXPqWu
— Jack Wohlabaugh (@JackWohlabaugh) January 4, 2018
Wohlabaugh will be eligible to play this season after the NCAA approved his waiver petition.
Matthew Burrell, Offensive Lineman, Sam Houston State
Burrell was a significant contributor for the Buckeyes during his time in Columbus. After redshirting the 2015 season, he played in all 13 games for the Buckeyes in 2016, and 12 of 14 last year.
Unfortunately, he was never able to win a starting job, and was not expected to do so this season, leading to the transfer.
He will be immediately eligible for the Bearkats this season as he moved to the FCS level.
Tre Avery, Cornerback, Rutgers
If the name Tre Avery does not sound familiar, it's because he was once known as Kareem Felder when he signed with Ohio State in 2016. Before arriving in Columbus, however, Felder decided to enroll at Toledo instead, where he did not see game action.
The Baltimore native then went to the Garden State, changed his name, and rode the bench for the Scarlet Knights last season.
He enters his second season with the Rutgers program this year, where he will be a redshirt sophomore.
Eric Glover-Williams, Wide Receiver, Slippery Rock
Glover-Williams was an interesting case from the beginning. He started his Ohio State career entering as an "athlete," before becoming a defensive back. Then, he was moved to wide receiver. Ultimately, he was dismissed from the team due to off-field issues.
After a stint at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, he is now enrolled at Slippery Rock University, a Division-II institution.
Joe Burrow, Quarterback, LSU
The highest-profile player on this list, Burrow decided to transfer from Columbus after not being able to take the starting quarterback job from Dwayne Haskins.
After considering North Carolina and Cincinnati, Burrow elected to head to the quarterback graveyard also known as Baton Rouge, where he will forever be known as Joe Burreaux. Burrow will attempt to resurrect public opinion on LSU's quarterbacks, most of whom have come in with incredible expectations and unfortunately have not lived up to them.
After redshirting his first year in Columbus, Burrow completed 22/28 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns in 2016, and 7/11 passes for just 61 yards, although he missed several games with a hand injury.
