Cedrick Hawkins' short-lived career as a Buckeye is over.
The safety jumped into the transfer portal on Tuesday, the first day available in the spring window for players to get on the move to other schools. He leaves Ohio State after just one season in the program.
BREAKING: Ohio State DB Cedrick Hawkins plans to enter the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 16, 2024
The 60 188 DB from Titusville, FL will have 4 years of eligibility remaining
Was ranked as a Four-Star Recruit in the 23 Class (per On3)https://t.co/gAXYgVff2c pic.twitter.com/GoAsKE32CB
Hawkins didn't play a single snap for the Buckeyes in his freshman campaign in 2023.
There was no clear path to playing time for the Titusville, Fla. product in the next few years given the transfer portal addition of star sophomore safety Caleb Downs from Alabama and the fact that both freshman safety Jaylen McClain and 2023 classmate Jayden Bonsu both passed him on the depth chart this spring.
Hawkins played 46 snaps in the spring game and logged five tackles. The most notable moment in his Ohio State tenure might have actually been his commitment. Hawkins committed to the Buckeyes on Jan. 1, 2022 midway through the second quarter of the Rose Bowl, which was a shock to OSU fans at the time.
A four-star prospect, Hawkins left high school as the No. 357 overall prospect and No. 35 safety in the 247Sports composite rankings. After taking a redshirt in 2023, he'll have a full four years of eligibility remaining at his next collegiate destination.
His departure leaves the Buckeyes with seven scholarship safeties on their 2024 roster: Downs, Lathan Ransom, Ja'Had Carter, Malik Hartford, Bonsu, McClain and Leroy Roker.
