Ohio State linebacker Keandre Jones is transferring to Maryland for his senior season.
An Ohio State spokesperson confirmed Tuesday morning that Jones is leaving the program, and Maryland later confirmed that Jones has enrolled in classes at the university this semester. The news was first reported by 247Sports' Jeff Ermann.
A native of Olney, Maryland, Jones was originally committed to his home-state school before flipping into Ohio State's recruiting class of 2016 on the same day as Dwayne Haskins. Both of their decisions to decommit from Maryland at the time were made in part because of the departure of then-interim head coach Mike Locksley, who recently returned to the Terrapins as their new head coach.
A four-star recruit out of high school, Jones came to Ohio State with high expectations, but never started a game in his three seasons with the Buckeyes, playing primarily on special teams.
With all three starting linebackers from last season returning in Malik Harrison, Tuf Borland and Pete Werner, and numerous younger linebackers also pushing for playing time including Baron Browning, Teradja Mitchell and Dallas Gant, it was unclear whether Jones would have an opportunity for increased playing time in 2019.
That said, Jones did record 29 tackles in his three years at Ohio State – along with a blocked punt against Nebraska last season – and was known for the positive energy he brought to the team.
Ohio State now has 83 players on scholarship for the 2019 season, with 11 linebackers also including Justin Hilliard, K'Vaughan Pope and incoming freshmen Cade Stover, Tommy Eichenberg and Craig Young (though Young also has the versatility to play other positions).
