Fifteen current and former Ohio State football players are among 56 Ohio State athletes earning degrees from the university on Sunday.
The list of football players earning degrees from the university on Sunday includes six Buckeyes who started games this season: Wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming, tight end Cade Stover, running back Chip Trayanum, linebacker Cody Simon and safety Lathan Ransom. Egbuka earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing in just three years.
Although they are graduating, Simon has announced he will return for a graduate year in 2024 while Egbuka and Ransom have not yet announced whether they will stay at Ohio State for another year or move on to the NFL. Stover is expected to move on to the NFL after the Cotton Bowl. Fleming and Trayanum will finish their careers elsewhere after entering the transfer portal earlier this month, with Trayanum committing to Kentucky earlier this week.
Other members of Ohio State’s 2023 football team who are graduating on Sunday include offensive linemen Jakob James, Trey Leroux and Enokk Vimahi, defensive end Mitchell Melton, punter Jesse Mirco (who, like Egbuka, graduated in only three years) and tight end Joe Royer. James and Royer have also entered the portal to play elsewhere as graduate transfers next season.
Former Ohio State football players graduating on Sunday included offensive lineman Harry Miller, who retired from football in 2022; offensive lineman Grant Toutant, who retired from football before the 2023 season; and defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock, who graduated through the degree completion program after finishing his Ohio State career in 2006.
Other standout athletes earning degrees from the university on Sunday include women’s basketball star Jacy Sheldon, All-American volleyball players Emily Londot and Rylee Rader and women’s hockey assistant captain Jenna Buglioni.
The complete list of graduating Buckeyes can be found on Ohio State’s official website.
Sunday’s autumn commencement begins at 2 p.m. at the Schottenstein Center and can be watched online via livestream. Retiring Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith will serve as the commencement speaker.
Commencement is an exciting day for our graduates and their loved ones. I am humbled and honored to serve as commencement speaker.
— Gene Smith (@OSU_AD) December 15, 2023
I look forward to sharing a message to inspire these new Buckeye graduates as they embark on the next step of their lives. https://t.co/DIrq6yRbbs
