Chip Trayanum's transition from linebacker to running back has now led to a starting role.
With regular starting running back TreVeyon Henderson out due to injury against Maryland Saturday, Trayanum took the first snaps in the Buckeyes' backfield alongside quarterback Kyle McCord.
Trayanum entered Saturday with 25 carries for 146 yards through four games this year in relief of Henderson, an average of 5.8 per carry.
He's added two rushing touchdowns to those yardage totals, none bigger than a 1-yard game-winning plunge against Notre Dame with one second left on the clock in Week 4.
WHAT A CALL!
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 24, 2023
WHAT A PLAY! pic.twitter.com/YDsDwaKLkN
Trayanum had 50 or more yards on eight carries or less against both Indiana and Western Kentucky earlier this season.
At Arizona State in 2021, Trayanum served as the primary backup to Rachaad White, and filled in for White as the team's starting back against Washington State on Oct. 30, 2021. He also rotated with White and Daniyel Ngata during the Sun Devils' four-game 2020 season.
During his two-year career in Tempe, Trayanum rushed for 692 yards in 13 games, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He picked up 10 rushing touchdowns.
Trayanum then made his way to Ohio State, where he transferred in as a linebacker. When injuries piled up in the running back room during the 2022 campaign – TreVeyon Henderson, Miyan Williams and Evan Pryor all missed time, the latter missing the season – Trayanum switched back to running back and stayed there.
He carried the ball 15 times for 92 yards in 2022, most of that coming during a 14-carry, 83-yard day against Michigan. Trayanum also returned three kickoffs for 29 yards.
Stay tuned to Eleven Warriors for more updates from Ohio State's game against Maryland Saturday.
