Another player from Ohio State has chosen to enter the transfer portal, continuing a trend of departures from the team.
Sam Hart, a tight end who didn’t record a single reception during his three seasons with the Buckeyes, made the announcement about his transfer decision on Tuesday.
“I am very grateful for these past few years as a Buckeye. I would like to thank my teammates for the friendships and the memories, and the coaches for giving me the opportunity of playing here. After a lot of thought, I have decided to enter the transfer portal as a graduate transfer (May 2024) with two years of eligibility remaining.”
Hart initially joined Ohio State as the 19th-ranked tight end according to 247Sports in the class of 2021. Despite receiving offers from other prominent programs like Penn State, Notre Dame, and LSU, his time with the Buckeyes was relatively uneventful.
After taking a redshirt year in 2021, Hart saw limited action in 2022, participating in just five games without registering any statistical contributions. However, it’s worth noting that Hart will soon graduate as a marketing major, showcasing his dedication to academics alongside his athletic pursuits.
In contrast, Cade Stover made a significant impact over the past two seasons, scoring five touchdowns each year and ranking second on the team in receiving yards for 2023, trailing only Marvin Harrison Jr. Among the other tight ends on the roster, Gee Scott Jr., Patrick Gurd, and Joe Royer had fewer opportunities to shine during the season.
Royer, one of the tight ends, opted to transfer to Cincinnati, adding to the list of departures from the Buckeyes this offseason. Additionally, Ohio State said goodbye to wide receivers Julian Fleming (who transferred to Penn State) and Noah Rogers (who transferred to NC State). However, there were some positive developments, as Bryson Rodgers decided to return to Ohio State after entering the transfer portal, and the Buckeyes also secured tight end Will Kacmarek from within the state of Ohio.
Want the latest NFL and NCAA Football analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
