The Ohio State Buckeyes must now add special teams to the areas in which they reload in 2024.
On Saturday, following the team’s loss in the Cotton Bowl to Missouri on Friday, Ohio State starting punting Jesse Mirco entered the NCAA Transfer Portal after three seasons with the team, according to reports from Eleven Warriors.
Mirco punted 50 times this season, averaging 43.5 yards per punt, and has a long of 72 yards. He also downed three punts inside the 20-yard line.
In his career the Australian punted 130 times for 5,707 yards, averaging 43.9 yards per punt. His career-long punt is 77 yards.
December 27
The Ohio State Buckeyes know who will be taking the first snaps of the Cotton Bowl on Friday in Arlington.
What they aren’t sure of is who will line up under center for the first snap of the 2024 season opener vs. Akron.
However, according to reports from On3, Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, who has yet to commit to his next team, could be in play for the Buckeyes.
“Obviously, Ohio State is still shopping for a quarterback,” On3’s Pete Nakos told Andy Staples on Andy Staples On3. “I don’t think they’re completely off the quarterback market. … But yeah, I think the Buckeyes definitely are at least looking at Will Howard.”
Last season with the Wildcats, Howard threw for 2,643 yards and 24 touchdowns with 10 interceptions while completing 61.3 percent of his passes.
By comparison, last season’s starter for the Buckeyes, Kyle McCord, threw for 3,170 yards and 24 scores with six interceptions, completing 65.8 percent of his passes.
Per Nakos, USC and Miami are also in the mix, while the NFL also remains a possibility for Howard.
Amid the Early Signing Day chaos, a former Ohio State Buckeye found his new home via the NCAA Transfer Portal.
Offensive lineman Jakob James, who was the third-string center this season, committed to Toldeo, staying close to his original home of Cincinnati.
James, who played six offensive snaps this season for the Buckeyes, will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Rockets.
“Thank you to everyone that has helped me get this far on my journey,” James said in his transfer announcement earlier this month. “To my Buckeye brothers – wouldn’t change a second of it. Love you all. I have entered the portal as a grad transfer with two years remaining.”
December 15
Former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord is still undecided about his next destination after entering the NCAA Transfer Portal.
