Ohio State offensive lineman Matthew Burrell announced Wednesday on social media that he has decided to transfer from the program.
Crazy spring for me, but everything will work out the way its https://t.co/MfneHUs5M0
— Matthew Burrell Jr (@Burrell_69) April 18, 2018
"Being a buckeye is a once in a lifetime opportunity on the field and off. That being said, and after prayer and thought, I will be transferring from OSU," Burrell wrote in an Instagram post. "I am not certain where I will end up but I am looking forward to whatever God has planned for me. To my teammates past and present, I believe in each of you and can't wait to see the records you set."
A four-star recruit in the class of 2015 from Woodbridge, Virginia, Burrell had been hoping for a shot to earn the starting center position this spring. Ohio State offensive line coach Greg Studrawa, however, said Wednesday that the center competition is now down to Brady Taylor and Josh Myers going into the summer.
A redshirt junior, Burrell would have had two seasons of eligibility remaining for the Buckeyes. Coming out of this spring, however, there did not appear to be an available spot for him on the offensive line two-deep. While Taylor and Myers moved ahead of him at center, Michael Jordan and Demetrius Knox are set to start at left and right guard, while Malcolm Pridgeon, Wyatt Davis and Branden Bowen (who can also play tackle) should also have spots on the depth chart.
Burrell, who played 155 snaps last season (including a career-high 69 snaps after Bowen suffered a season-ending leg injury against Maryland) had multiple chances to earn the starting right guard job last season, but was beaten out by Bowen before the season and by Knox after Bowen's injury. Pridgeon, meanwhile, was praised as one of the Buckeyes' most improved players this spring, while Davis was a highly touted recruit who should see playing time sooner than later.
With Burrell's transfer, Ohio State is now at 87 scholarships for the 2018 season. The Buckeyes will need at least two more players to transfer from the program to get down to the 85-man limit.
