Ohio State Football: Former kicker transfers to Northern Illinois

The Ohio State football team has learned where a few of their former players are headed now. We know that one receiver is headed to the SEC while the other is staying in the Big Ten. We now know where a kicker is headed after he decided to leave the program.

Jake Seibert, who announced he was transferring following the Spring Game, is headed to Northern Illinois. Seibert only kicked in one season for the Buckeyes and it was the 2020 season as a freshman after Blake Haubeil got hurt late in the year.

Seibert kicked in just three games that season. Against Rutgers, he made all seven extra points he attempted. Two weeks later against IU, he made all six extra points he attempted but missed the only field goal try he had, which was from 44 yards out.

Seibert did kick in the National Championship Game that year as well, making all three extra points and a 23-yard field goal, so he has kicked in big games. Clearly, the Buckeyes thought they have better kickers on the roster right now if they were willing to let him leave.

Now that he’s headed to NIU, Seibert can compete for the starting job. He should be able to win it by virtue of his big-game kicking experience. He doesn’t have the strongest leg in the world, but he’s fairly accurate. That’s something he was able to show in high school.

Parker Lewis has the inside track to be the starting kicker next season after he transferred in from USC. The Ohio State football team doesn’t plan on kicking many field goals this season, so whatever kicker is out there has to be reliable when his number is called.

We wish Seibert nothing but the best at NIU.