Jaelen Gill's Ohio State career has come to a close.
After two seasons with the Buckeyes, the former top-30 prospect has entered the NCAA transfer portal, he confirmed Wednesday on Twitter.
To new beginnings. pic.twitter.com/g8vvrh0ryW
— J-A-E- (@jaelengill21) April 22, 2020
“Growing up as a Buckeye fan, my childhood dream was to play for The Ohio State University and I'm thankful and blessed I was able to live that dream,” Gill said. “It was after careful consideration with my family that I decided that I'd like to explore other options as a student and athlete going forward and entered the transfer portal.”
According to Lettermen Row, who first reported the news Wednesday morning, Gill is not expected to return to the program.
Gill, the No. 30 overall prospect and Ohio State's fourth-highest rated signee in the 2018 class, only saw the field sparingly during his two years with the Buckeyes. He played just 63 snaps in 2019, with most of those snaps coming in the second half of blowout wins, and recorded just seven receptions for 62 yards, highlighted by a 32-yard touchdown against Rutgers.
Gill admitted in December that he was frustrated by the lack of opportunities, but said at the time that he needed to continue working to get better.
“You definitely get frustrated, you definitely get down on yourself but I try to have my close ones by me help me with that, talk to them, talk to (wide receivers coach Brian Hartline) and stuff like that and just keep faith, just keep praying to God,” Gill told Eleven Warriors after the Big Ten Championship Game. “I just got to take everything day by day, keep learning from the older guys like Austin, like Ben, like K.J., Coach Hart, (assistant wide receivers coach Keenan Bailey).”
Gill, who played running back in high school, moved to wide receiver at Ohio State but was unable to crack the regular rotation. With the addition of four top-100 prospects at receiver in the class of 2020, the fight for playing time only got stiffer, and Hartline said Wednesday that Garrett Wilson is likely to move to slot receiver – where Gill was expected to play – in 2020.
A redshirt sophomore, Gill has three remaining seasons of collegiate eligibility, though he will need to request a waiver to receive immediate eligibility in 2020 unless a one-time transfer exception is approved for the upcoming season.
Gill's departure puts Ohio State at 86 scholarships for the 2020 season, pending the eligibility of fellow slot receiver C.J. Saunders, who is awaiting word from the NCAA on whether he will receive a sixth year of eligibility.
