Another Buckeye transfer is staying in the Big Ten.
Former Ohio State defensive end Dominic Kirks became the eighth Buckeye to transfer to another Big Ten school for the 2026 season as he committed to Northwestern on Wednesday.
Northwestern has landed a commitment from Ohio State edge rusher transfer Dominic Kirks, his agency @APSportsAgency tells me, @chris_hummer and @CodyNagel247.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 22, 2026
Was a Class of 2024 top-165 overall recruit. pic.twitter.com/Msl4bGeWmb
Kirks spent two years with the Buckeyes as a backup defensive end, recording two tackles. He brings three years of eligibility to Northwestern, where he’ll reunite with former Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who’s now the Wildcats’ offensive coordinator.
Kirks joins fellow defensive end Logan George (Washington), safeties Malik Hartford (UCLA) and Cody Haddad (Iowa), cornerbacks Aaron Scott Jr. (Oregon) and Bryce West (Wisconsin), defensive tackle Maxwell Roy (UCLA) and running back James Peoples (Penn State) as former Ohio State players who have transferred to other Big Ten schools for 2026.
Kirks will return to Ohio Stadium in 2026 as Ohio State will host Northwestern at the Shoe this fall. A date for that game and the rest of the Big Ten schedule will be announced next Tuesday.
