Evan Pryor has a new home.
The former Ohio State running back announced his commitment to Cincinnati on Wednesday. Pryor became the second Buckeye to commit to a new school this week, as his former teammate and fellow Ohio State ballcarrier Chip Trayanum committed to Kentucky on Tuesday.
All Glory to God pic.twitter.com/sWCewDLfqL
— EP (@evanpryor3) December 13, 2023
The No. 6 running back and No. 83 overall prospect in the class of 2021, Pryor arrived in Columbus with expectations to become a dual-threat weapon at the running back position, collecting carries and receptions out of the backfield. However, the Cornelius, North Carolina, native never found a consistent role in the Ohio State offense.
Pryor received a redshirt in 2021 after he appeared in four regular-season games, recording 98 yards and one touchdown on 21 carries. Before the 2022 season, he suffered a torn patellar tendon that ended his year. In 2023, Pryor appeared in four regular-season games, collecting 49 yards on 19 carries.
Following the departure of Luke Fickell, who led Cincinnati to five winning seasons and a College Football Playoff berth in 2021, the Bearcats regressed to 3-9 under first-year head coach Scott Satterfield in 2023.
This season, Cincinnati’s offense ranks No. 36 in the FBS at 426.1 yards per game and possesses the No. 6 rushing offense at 217.1 yards per game. Corey Kiner (192 carries, 1,078 yards and five touchdowns) leads the Bearcats' backfield and is set to return in 2024, which means the addition of Pryor could create a powerful one-two punch for Cincinnati next year.
Pryor and Trayanum are two of 14 Buckeyes who have entered the transfer portal since the end of the regular season, along with quarterback Kyle McCord, wide receiver Julian Fleming, tight end Joe Royer, centers Victor Cutler Jr. and Jakob James, defensive end Omari Abor, linebacker Reid Carrico, cornerbacks Jyaire Brown and Ryan Turner, safeties Cameron Martinez and Kye Stokes and kicker Parker Lewis.
