Ohio State has added an all-conference linebacker from the transfer portal.
Ty Howard, who earned first-team All-NEC honors at Duquesne this season, announced his signing with Ohio State on Sunday.
Its OfficialThank you all Coaches that contacted me . Very blessed to officially be signed with @OhioStateFB. Thanks @ryandaytime @markpantoni @N_Murph
— Ty Howard (@Howardty8) January 6, 2025
Time to Work pic.twitter.com/XPn1dNO1xR
Howard joins the Buckeyes after recording 52 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, three interceptions, four pass breakups and a fumble recovery for the Dukes in just nine games in 2024. He recorded takeaways in four straight games, including a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown against St. Francis.
The Howard File
- Year: Redshirt Junior
- Size: 6-0/200
- Pos: LB
- Previous School: Duquesne (2022-24)
- Stats: 52 tackles, 7 TFL, 4 sacks, 3 INT, 4 PBU, 1 FR in 2024
Howard is the older brother of incoming freshman running back Bo Jackson. Both Howard and Jackson arrived at Ohio State to start their time as Buckeyes this weekend as midyear enrollees.
Ohio State has not formally announced Howard’s signing, but Villa Angela-St. Joseph coach Jeff Rotsky told Eleven Warriors that Howard is receiving a scholarship from Ohio State. Under the new roster rules that will go into effect in 2025, college football teams will be able to have up to 105 players on scholarship, though Ohio State is still expected to have some walk-ons on its roster.
Howard brings two years of eligibility to Ohio State after spending three seasons at Duquesne.
The 6-foot, 200-pound linebacker likely projects to be a depth piece for the Buckeyes. With Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese projected to be Ohio State’s starting linebackers next season (assuming Styles stays at OSU for his senior year), Howard joins a position group that will also include current freshmen Payton Pierce and Garrett Stover and incoming freshmen Tarvos Alford, Riley Pettijohn and Eli Lee. C.J. Hicks could also be in the mix at LB, though it’s also possible he makes a full-time move to edge rusher, particularly if Jim Knowles reintroduces the Jack position to Ohio State’s defense next season.
