Bryson Rodgers isn’t leaving Ohio State after all.
After spending two weeks in the transfer portal, the redshirt freshman wide receiver announced Saturday that he will stay at Ohio State.
good morning everyone. I appreciate all the coaches that blessed me with an opportunity to come to their program. This has been no where easy for me. Buckeye nation, with deep reconsideration and thought, I will be returning to The Ohio State University. RELOAD THAT MF CLIP. pic.twitter.com/85NjAMCZ6Z
— Bryson Rodgers (@IBryson13) January 13, 2024
Rodgers had visited multiple schools since entering the transfer portal, including Florida and UCF. Ultimately, however, Rodgers decided that staying at Ohio State would be his best option.
It’s uncommon for players to return to Ohio State after entering the portal, and there was no guarantee that Rodgers would be accepted back by the program after initially deciding to leave. It makes sense for Ohio State to bring Rodgers back into the fold, though, as it was down to only eight scholarship receivers after his portal entry alongside fellow freshman receiver Noah Rogers, who transferred to NC State.
Before the Cotton Bowl, Rodgers drew praise from both offensive coordinator Brian Hartline and fellow wide receiver Emeka Egbuka for his performance in practice as a freshman.
“Mr. Consistent. I mean, I say it all the time; there's that statistic I said from fall camp that was like the wildest catch percentage I've ever seen,” Egbuka said of Rodgers. “But that’s what truly Bryson is, and he’s continued to do that throughout the months and throughout the season. He's a reliable young guy with great hands, great routes.”
Rodgers still has all four years of his collegiate eligibility after playing in just two games as a true freshman.
With Rodgers’ return to Ohio State, the only scholarship player from last year’s team who remains in the portal is defensive tackle Jaden McKenzie.
Former Buckeyes who have transferred to new teams for the 2024 season include quarterback Kyle McCord (Syracuse), running backs Evan Pryor (Cincinnati) and Chip Trayanum (Kentucky), wide receivers Julian Fleming (Penn State) and Noah Rogers (N.C. State), tight end Joe Royer (Cincinnati), centers Victor Cutler Jr. (Louisville) and Jakob James (Toledo), defensive end Omari Abor (SMU), linebacker Reid Carrico (West Virginia), cornerbacks Jyaire Brown (LSU) and Ryan Turner (Boston College), safeties Kye Stokes (Cincinnati) and Cameron Martinez (Boston College), kicker Parker Lewis (Arizona State) and punter Jesse Mirco (Vanderbilt).
