Ohio State has missed out one of the transfer portal’s most coveted players.
The Buckeyes were a finalist to land Ajani Cornelius, who is ranked by On3 as the best offensive lineman and No. 3 overall player to enter the transfer portal this year, but ultimately came up short in their pursuit as Cornelius chose Oregon over Ohio State, Nebraska and Tennessee after visiting all four schools.
Ohio State was the final team to host Cornelius on a visit before his announcement on Wednesday, as Cornelius spent the weekend in Columbus on an official visit with the Buckeyes. Ultimately, however, Cornelius decided Oregon was the best place for him to continue his college football career.
With Cornelius off the board, Ohio State’s top target to fill its need for a transfer offensive tackle now appears to be Jarrett Kingston, who was Washington State’s starting left tackle this past season. Kingston, who has not yet announced offers from any other schools, announced Tuesday night that he has received an offer from the Buckeyes.
Blessed to receive an offer from Ohio State University! pic.twitter.com/Wl736l8xd0
— Jarrett Kingston (@JKingston52) December 20, 2022
An All-Pac-12 honorable mention selection, Kingston allowed zero sacks in nine games as Washington State’s left tackle this season, per Pro Football Focus, before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. Kingston previously started at left guard for the Cougars in 2021.
Each of the other three transfer offensive tackles who have announced Ohio State offers are headed elsewhere, as former UTEP offensive tackle Jeremiah Byers signed with Florida State while former Tulsa offensive tackle Dillon Wade told 247Sports he is choosing between Auburn and USC.
