Ohio State is hosting two major transfer prospects on Friday.
Northwestern offensive lineman Josh Thompson’s visit has been known about for nearly a week, but a source confirmed to Eleven Warriors that former USC running back Quinten Joyner is also on campus.
The Buckeyes need to add a veteran running back next season regardless of how the season turns out. TreVeyon Henderson is a senior and Quinshon Judkins could join him in the NFL Draft. Even if Judkins doesn’t declare, OSU will need someone to share carries with Judkins and James Peoples.
Joyner could fit that role, as he just completed his redshirt freshman year at USC and will have three years of eligibility remaining.
In his second year with USC, he played in all 12 games for the Trojans and racked up 478 yards on 63 carries and three rushing touchdowns while averaging 7.6 yards per carry. He also caught 12 passes for 89 yards and a receiving touchdown. Joyner's best games last season came against Utah State, Penn State and Notre Dame, where he ran for more than 80 yards in each contest.
Per Pro Football Focus' grades, Joyner achieved an overall grade of 77.8 for this season, which is considered an above-average mark. His strongest asset was as a runner, where he accumulated a grade of 86.4. His grading raised concerns of him being a liability at times as a pass blocker, though, with a grade of 20.7 in pass blocking.
Joyner is considered the fifth-best running back in the portal per 247Sports' transfer rankings. As a high school recruit, he was a four-star prospect rated within the top 200 players in the 2023 recruiting class.
Alabama RB Justice Haynes enters transfer portal
While Joyner is on campus for his visit, another running back who could be of significant interest to Ohio State just entered the portal on Friday.
Former Alabama running back Justice Haynes has decided to change schools having just completed his second year with the Crimson Tide. The top-35 prospect in the 2023 class has two years of eligibility remaining and is the No. 1 ranked tailback in the transfer portal.
BREAKING: Alabama RB Justice Haynes has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, @PeteNakos_ reports. https://t.co/vPeeptWrBL pic.twitter.com/gNHGIfcmnk
— On3 (@On3sports) December 13, 2024
Haynes rushed for 448 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 5.7 yards per carry this season. Ohio State was a big contender for him as a recruit, along with Georgia. According to Bama247, the Buckeyes are a team worth watching for Haynes early.
Jamier Brown gets Buckeyes tattoo on arm
Commitments have never felt looser in this modern era of recruiting. Flips are all too common and sometimes you never fully know if a recruit will wind up on campus until he signs in December.
Five-star 2027 wide receiver commit Jamier Brown took a big step to combat that narrative. The Wayne product posted an Ohio State tattoo to his social media profile on Thursday, demonstrating his commitment — both verbally and physically — to the Buckeyes.
If we locked in aint no switching up Im home #lockedin #Showtimee pic.twitter.com/hUL732KP1R
— Jamier "Showtime" Brown (@ShowTimee_23) December 13, 2024
Grant Wise puts OSU in top 12
An offensive lineman with an Ohio State offer in the 2026 class has narrowed down his recruitment.
Four-star 2026 Florida prospect Grant Wise released a top 12 on Friday consisting of Ohio State, Clemson, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Alabama, Florida, Miami and Oregon.
God has blessed me immensely with these opportunities. After much discussion with my family we have decided to narrow the list of prospective college football programs to twelve. I will be concentrating on my relationships with these schools moving forward. Thank you & God Bless! pic.twitter.com/1eYylCIzjE
— GRANT WISE 2026 (@Grock64) December 13, 2024
Wise earned his OSU offer over the summer following an impressive workout with Justin Frye at a recruiting camp.
“It was awesome,” Wise said after picking up the OSU offer. “They’re such a huge program and such a staple in college football. (Coach Frye) said my tape looks great and that I looked great at camp. He said he wants to continue to build a relationship with me and continue to watch me grow as a player. He’s one of those coaches that will tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear. That’s great because it helps you develop.”
