Ohio State will soon be hosting a pair of transfer portal defensive targets.
A source confirmed to Eleven Warriors Wednesday both defensive back Lorenzo Styles Jr. and defensive tackle Tywone Malone are expected to be on campus this weekend.
Styles entered the transfer portal on April 21 from Notre Dame, while Malone entered on April 19 from Ole Miss. Eleven Warriors also reported Tuesday transfer offensive tackle Josh Simmons is expected to visit Ohio State this weekend.
— Zo (@LorenzoStyles_) April 25, 2023
With Styles, there are no shortage of family ties to the Buckeyes. Styles is the son of former Buckeye linebacker, Lorenzo Styles Sr., and would join his brother Sonny Styles in Ohio State's secondary should he decide to commit. Styles Jr. playing with the Buckeyes would allow the Styles brothers to be teammates once again for at least two seasons, as the pair suited up together dating back to their time at Pickerington Central High School.
The 6-foot-1, 192-pound Styles played wide receiver the past two seasons for the Fighting Irish, but will play cornerback for the rest of his collegiate career. In his career with the Fighting Irish, he caught 54 passes for 648 yards and two touchdowns as a wide receiver, with his longest career reception coming on Notre Dame’s first play of the season last year at Ohio State when he turned a short pass into a 54-yard gain. If he joins the Buckeyes, he'll play cornerback for the first time since high school.
Styles was originally recruited by Ohio State to play cornerback as a recruit in the 2021 class, but he ultimately opted to join Notre Dame as a wideout. He was considered the No. 5 overall prospect in the state of Ohio in the 2021 cycle.
Meanwhile, Malone was a two-sport athlete at Ole Miss, playing defensive tackle for the football team and also playing baseball for the Rebels. In two seasons with Ole Miss, Malone has racked up 13 total tackles with two sacks and two pass deflections. He'll have three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Malone would be the second Ole Miss transfer the Buckeyes have landed this offseason if he commits to Ohio State, with cornerback Davison Igbinosun transferring in January.
The New Jersey native was heavily recruited by Ohio State out of high school as a four-star recruit, but he eventually signed with Ole Miss instead. Malone would add key depth to the Buckeyes' defensive tackle depth behind Mike Hall, Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton should the 6-foot-4, 300-pound lineman commit.
