Ohio State has missed out on a top transfer target at running back.
Former USC running back Quinten Joyner, who made an official visit to Ohio State last week, committed to Texas Tech on Thursday.
BREAKING: USC transfer RB Quinten Joyner has committed to Texas Techhttps://t.co/rXjwxSvd0S pic.twitter.com/Sk3D4b2Fsy
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) December 19, 2024
Joyner, a Texas native who ran for 478 yards and three touchdowns on 63 carries and caught 12 passes for 89 yards and another touchdown as USC’s No. 2 running back this season, is the only transfer running back to visit Ohio State so far this month. He’s ranked by 247Sports as the fifth-best RB to enter the transfer portal for the 2025 season.
Ohio State is reportedly interested in Alabama transfer Justice Haynes, the No. 1-ranked running back in the portal, but the Buckeyes have yet to secure a visit from Haynes while he has made or scheduled visits to Ole Miss, South Carolina and Michigan. The Buckeyes have also reached out to former Army running back Kanye Udoh, who ran for 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Black Knights this season.
The Buckeyes are in the market for a transfer running back because they could possibly lose both of their top two running backs from this season, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, if Judkins enters the 2025 NFL draft (Henderson is a senior). No other Ohio State running back has seen regular playing time this season, so the Buckeyes want to add a veteran to their running back unit, which will also include James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon entering their second years as well as incoming freshmen Bo Jackson, Anthony “Turbo” Rogers and Isaiah West.
