The Ohio State football team was expecting to lose guys to the transfer portal once the season ended. They had expected to lose around 10% of their roster in the portal, according to Ryan Day. With the Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff, those numbers have stalled a bit.
Some players entered the portal once the regular season was over, while others decided to stay. Some who have entered the portal have decided to stay until the run in the CFP is over, such as quarterback Devin Brown. Others have declared for another school already.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have now lost three players to the transfer portal since they beat Oregon on New Year's Day. George Fitzpatrick will enter the transfer portal soon. Patrick Gurd has already decided to enter. Now, another defensive player will be entering the portal.
Ohio State football player Mitchell Melton enters the transfer portal
Linebacker Mitchell Melton had decided to enter the transfer portal. Melton is a senior, so he will have just one year of eligibility left. Melton played sparingly this year, recording just 12 tackles and two sacks this season for the Buckeyes. He now looks to make a bigger impact elsewhere.
Melton isn't the only linebacker who has entered the portal for the Buckeyes. Gabe Powers decided to enter the portal once the regular season ended. This leaves the Buckeyes a little less depth at that spot, but they have plenty of guys to fill that depth next season.
Considering Jim Knowles only plays two linebackers at a time, they don't need to have a ton of guys on scholarship at that position. If there is any position on the defense that can withstand losing some numbers, it is the linebacker position.
We wish Melton nothing but the best in his future college football endeavors.