On Monday evening, Mitchell Melton helped lead Ohio State to its ninth national title.
On Tuesday, the fifth-year OSU defensive end transferred to Virginia, per multiple national outlets. Melton will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Ohio State linebacker Mitchell Melton has signed with Virginia, @On3sports has learned.
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) January 21, 2025
Former four-star has 3 career sacks.https://t.co/VxSGJEUisH pic.twitter.com/bq6RTwuPm4
Melton entered the transfer portal on Jan. 5 but stayed with the Buckeyes throughout their CFP run. He was a rotational player the past two seasons, recording 15 total tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.
Though he saw snaps this season, Melton likely would have remained a backup on next year's roster, considering Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Caden Curry are in line to return and probably start at defensive end next season. Transfer defensive end Logan George and linebacker C.J. Hicks are also candidates to see prime snaps on the edge.
Initially recruited to Ohio State as a linebacker, Melton moved to defensive end after missing the entirety of the 2021 and 2022 seasons due to injuries. He ended his Ohio State career as a national champion on Monday.
