Walk-on running back TC Caffey has entered the transfer portal after three years at Ohio State.
NEW: Ohio State RB TC Caffey has entered the NCAA transfer portal, @PeteNakos_ reports.https://t.co/kSYG7dZ8sR pic.twitter.com/WAFmcTuUr2
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) April 23, 2025
Caffey turned heads as a true freshman at Ohio State when he had a spectacular 49-yard touchdown run against Toledo in his first game appearance as a Buckeye, generating belief that he could be a contributor in Ohio State’s running back room despite his walk-on status.
WE SEE YOU TC CAFFEY
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 18, 2022
The @OhioStateFB RB breaks off for a HUGE first career TD run pic.twitter.com/xSeUIFdYpQ
As recently as last spring, Caffey generated buzz from Ohio State’s coaching staff, with Ryan Day saying last April that he thought Caffey was “going to play for us and get carries for us” in 2024.
Caffey’s hopes of making an impact last season were derailed, however, when he suffered a season-ending knee injury during summer workouts. Caffey did not see any playing time in 2023, either, after his freshman year was cut short by a torn ACL. He did not appear likely to see substantial playing time for the Buckeyes in 2025 as James Peoples, CJ Donaldson and Bo Jackson are expected to lead Ohio State’s running back depth chart.
With two remaining seasons of eligibility, Caffey will now look for an opportunity to play more regularly, having shown glimpses of his potential at Ohio State despite walking on.
Caffey joins wide receiver Reis Stocksdale, punter Anthony Venneri and long snapper Morrow Evans as walk-ons who have entered the transfer portal from Ohio State following spring practice. One week into the post-spring transfer window, which will close at the end of the day Friday, Ohio State still has not lost any scholarship players to the portal.
