Another Buckeye has entered the transfer portal.
Ohio State confirmed Saturday that redshirt sophomore safety/linebacker Craig Young has entered the transfer portal, becoming the third Buckeye to enter the transfer portal this week.
Young enters the portal after playing only 132 defensive snaps during the regular season in his third year as a Buckeye. He joins quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Jack Miller as Buckeyes who have opted to leave the program since last weekend’s loss to Michigan.
Going into the 2021 season, Young has viewed as a candidate to potentially play a major role at the bullet position. After Ronnie Hickman locked down the starting job there, however, Young eventually moved to cover safety.
Young started and played an increased role in Ohio State’s second-to-last game of the regular season against Michigan State as a hybrid linebacker/safety, but that wasn’t enough to convince Young to stay with the Buckeyes for another year.
Bet on yourself, when they think other wise
— Mild (@Craig_Young11) December 4, 2021
Young finishes his Ohio State career with 25 total tackles. The highlight of his Buckeye career came in this year’s sixth game of the season against Maryland, when he returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown.
Because the NCAA gave all players an additional year of eligibility last season, Young will bring three more years of eligibility to his new school.
With his departure, Ohio State loses a player with the versatility to contribute at both safety and linebacker. The Buckeyes are now set to lose two of the three players who were in their cover safety rotation at the end of the 2021 regular season, as Marcus Williamson is in his final year of eligibility.
That said, it still seemed unlikely that Young would be in line to play a major role in 2022 with Ronnie Hickman, Lathan Ransom, Josh Proctor, Bryson Shaw, Kourt Williams and Cameron Martinez all being among the safeties who could play major roles next season. Young could have potentially helped the Buckeyes at linebacker, depending on what their defensive scheme looks like next season, but he’s decided his future is best suited elsewhere.
