In Wednesday’s Hurry-Up, we went over four possible options for Ohio State to pursue on the defensive line based on who had entered the portal on the first day of the spring window.
It’s since been confirmed Larry Johnson has been in contact with one of those aforementioned four, former North Carolina defensive end Beau Atkinson. Per multiple reports, Atkinson is expected to visit Ohio State Monday and will also likely visit Georgia.
Atkinson had a productive two-year career with the North Carolina Tar Heels, recording 54 tackles, 11 sacks and one forced fumble across two seasons. Last year, he notched 35 tackles and 7.5 sacks. Per Pro Football Focus’ grades, Atkinson recorded an overall grade of 77 in 2024, which is considered above average. He graded 74.3 in run defense and scored 76.2 in pass rushing over 381 defensive snaps a year ago.
Though he’s primarily played on the edge for the Tar Heels, he could also play a few reps inside every game given his size if that’s how Johnson chooses to deploy him.
Atkinson will have two years of eligibility remaining for whichever school he decides to play for. Should that school be OSU, Atkinson would be in contention for a starting role this fall, but at worst you’d figure he’d be in prime position for a spot on the two-deep.
Syracuse Freshman All-American DT Maraad Watson enters the portal
Though it never hurts to have proven production at defensive end, defensive tackle is Ohio State’s greatest need in the portal this spring. Through the first few days, pickings aren’t overly plentiful in terms of players with proven college production so far, but a player who fits that mold decided to transfer on Friday.
Maraad Watson, a 6-foot-3, 313-pound defensive tackle who was named a Freshman All-American last season at Syracuse, announced his intention to transfer with three years of eligibility remaining.
Syracuse Freshman All-American defensive lineman Maraad Watson is currently expected to enter the transfer portal, sources tell @McAllisterMike1 and me for @CBSSports/@247Sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 18, 2025
The 6-foot-3, 315-pound Watson a starter as a freshman last season and posted 31 tackles and a sack. pic.twitter.com/1cHZYd1Aa8
Though there has been no public connection to OSU as of yet (and in fairness, he’s only been in the portal for a few hours), his profile is exactly the type Ohio State and Johnson could have their eyes on.
Watson appeared in 13 games for Syracuse last season, recording 31 tackles, 10 quarterback pressures, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup. Per Pro Football Focus, Watson recorded an overall grade of 65.1. His strongest asset is run defense, as Watson graded 77.4 overall in that category. As a pass rusher, Watson’s grade was 58.2.
Watson was a three-star recruit in the 2024 recruiting class and was considered the No. 1,212 prospect and No. 128 defensive lineman in the nation per 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Gordon Sellars commits to Clemson
A wide receiver with an Ohio State offer is off the board. In a move that wasn’t surprising to many, four-star North Carolina wideout Gordon Sellars committed to Clemson on Friday.
BREAKING: Four-Star WR Gordon Sellars has Committed to Clemson, he tells me for @on3recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 18, 2025
The 63 200 WR from Charlotte, NC chose the Tigers over South Carolina, Michigan, & Ohio State
Gods Blessing!#ALLIN https://t.co/s7DxO5AePT pic.twitter.com/NY4MVbtd65
OSU offered Sellars, the No. 207 prospect and No. 31 wideout in the 2026 recruiting class, on March 17 following his spring visit to Columbus, but there wasn’t much traction from OSU’s end following that. Sellars’ other finalists were Michigan, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina A&T.
OSU has three wide receivers committed so far in the 2026 class and wants to take at least one more wideout this cycle. The highest-priority target is likely Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, who visited OSU for the spring game last weekend and will take an official visit to campus later this summer.
