Transfers don't typically flood to Ohio State for playing time. In fact, it's usually the other way around. Since Urban Meyer's arrival, the Buckeyes have typically had a surplus of talent at every position resulting in players becoming buried on the depth chart.
When Ohio State gets a transfer player, they don't typically play a vital role or fill a void. Wide Receiver Jeff Greene transferred from Georgia Tech and finished his Buckeye career with just two receptions. Alabama transfer center Chad Lindsay didn't play a meaningful snap at Ohio State, nor did Notre Dame transfer tight end Chase Hounshell. The most successful transfer player since Meyer's arrival was Duke transfer kicker Jack Willoughby, who won the starting kicker job midway through the season.
That will change in 2017 as the Buckeyes will see major contributions from transfer players.
One of the transfers has been on the roster for over a year already. Offensive tackle Malcolm Pridgeon signed with the Buckeyes on National Signing Day 2016 after transferring from Nassau Community College in New York. He and was expected to earn, or at the very least compete for one of the tackle positions this season.
Unfortunately for both Ohio State and Pridgeon, he suffered a knee injury in practice before the start of the season and never played a snap in 2016. Instead, Isaiah Prince started at right tackle all season and struggled at times.
This upcoming season, there is at least one offensive line spot up for grabs after the departure of graduated senior, Pat Elflein. Pridgeon could presumably move inside in 2017 to fill that void or he could battle with Prince for the right tackle position he was favored to earn before his injury last fall. In any case, Pridgeon has two seasons of eligibility remaining and will almost certainly see the field in some capacity in 2017.
Another transfer that will likely see plenty of playing time is cornerback Kendall Sheffield. Sheffield was a former five-star recruit who originally committed and enrolled at Alabama. After redshirting his freshman season, Sheffield transferred out of the program and played one season at Blinn College in Texas before committing to Ohio State in January. He plans to enroll in March.
Make no mistake, Sheffield is coming to Columbus to play immediately. He transferred from Alabama because of a lack of playing time and has no intentions of sitting behind anybody at Ohio State – that's good news for the Buckeyes.
For the second time in as many seasons, Ohio State must replace three players in the secondary after safety Malik Hooker and cornerbacks Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore chose to enter the NFL Draft. The Buckeyes need players ready to play at a high level immediately, and that's Sheffield.
Sheffield will have three seasons of eligibility remaining, but if everything goes according to plan, that may just be a technicality. Many expect Sheffield to be a one-and-done player in Columbus and declare for the draft following the 2017 season – he's that good.
The impact transfer is admittedly far-fetched, but not impossible.
Former Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd visited Ohio State last month and there seems to be mutual interest.
Hurd left Tennessee in October after playing seven games for the Volunteers and though draft-eligible, did not declare for the 2017 NFL Draft and is expected to sign with a new team.
During his three seasons as a Volunteer, Hurd accounted for 2,635 yards and 20 touchdowns on 589 carries in 33 games. He also had 67 receptions for 492 yards and six scores. He mentioned he might wish to play receiver or tight end at his next destination, but that will likely depend on team needs, the coaching staff and the offensive scheme.
It seems unlikely Hurd will end up at Ohio State, but at one point in his high school recruitment Hurd listed the Buckeyes as a favorite and it seemed Columbus would be a likely landing spot for the No. 40 player in the country and the Buckeyes would certainly make room for another offensive playmaker after the departures of Noah Brown and Curtis Samuel.
Complicating matters though, it's unlikely Hurd will be eligible for the 2017 season. To do that, he would first have to graduate in either the spring or the summer and would then qualify as a graduate transfer. There's no word on if that's a possibility.
There are certainly advantages and disadvantages to adding transfer players, but these recent additions are not reckless – they're calculate moves to address specific team needs. While transfer players can't replace high-school recruiting or the development of younger players, they will provide a quick and welcomed boost to the team this upcoming season.
