ROSE BOWL BOUND
Ohio State demolishes Tennessee, 42-17, and advances to the Rose Bowl to face top-seeded Oregon.
Felix Okpara is hitting the road to Rocky Top.
On Thursday, the former Ohio State center announced his commitment to Tennessee out of the transfer portal.
BREAKING: Ohio State transfer center Felix Okpara has committed to Tennessee, he tells @On3sports.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 25, 2024
The 6-11 sophomore averaged 6.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game this past season. Former 4 recruit. https://t.co/ZxsWKEhOyH pic.twitter.com/RpHy9soH7w
Okpara was the Buckeyes' leading shot blocker and rebounder in 2023-24, finishing second in the Big Ten conference with 2.4 swats per game. He set a school record with 43 consecutive games with a blocked shot, a streak that is still ongoing and stretches back to the 2022-23 season.
On April 1, Okpara was the latest Buckeye to say they were returning to Ohio State within a short timeframe in late March and early April. Three weeks later, Okpara entered the transfer portal.
Five days before that, Ohio State secured a commitment from former Kentucky center and five-star prospect Aaron Bradshaw at the center position. The exact extent to which Bradshaw's commitment influenced Okpara's change of heart is unclear.
Okpara will arrive at Tennessee with two years of eligibility remaining. Ohio State will attempt to replace his rebounding and shot-blocking presence in the transfer portal in the meantime. Among early targets that have emerged are Duke's Sean Stewart and the Volunteers' own Jonas Aidoo.
