Ohio State football: Goodbye to a favorite Buckeye

When the Ohio State football team released its current roster, I was disappointed to find it did not include the name of one of my favorite Buckeyes. Cormontae Hamilton is no longer with the program.

I know what you’re thinking, “Who is Cormontae Hamilton and why is he one of your favorite Buckeyes?” To start, let’s answer the question of who he is. Hamilton just completed his redshirt sophomore year with the Buckeyes.

After beginning his career as a tight end, he was moved to the defensive line in the spring of 2020. For the past two seasons, he has been buried on the depth chart and saw the field sparingly. According to snap counts from Eleven Warriors, Hamilton was on the field for just 83 plays in his OSU career. He registered six tackles and a couple of sacks.

So, you’re probably even more baffled as to why a backup defensive lineman is one of my favorite OSU players. When Hamilton was being recruited, he was invited to one OSU’s camps. Not having any other way to get from his home in Memphis, Tennessee to Columbus, he bought himself a bus ticket.

He participated in the camp with a sprained shoulder and managed to land a scholarship offer by the end of it. It was an offer he said he’d been wanting. Any player who wants to be a Buckeye so bad he is willing to endure a twelve-hour bus ride and go through a camp with an injury like that is going to quickly become one of my favorites. He may have not made much of an impact on the field, but I’ll not forget his desire to be a part of the Ohio State football program.

Hamilton has not yet entered the transfer portal. He has three years of eligibility remaining. His departure leaves the Buckeyes six over the 85-scholarship limit.