Report: Ohio State defensive end Noah Spence to transfer to Eastern Kentucky

Months after Ohio State defensive end Noah Spence was ruled permanently ineligible by the Big Ten, it appears the rumors of Spence's departure have some finality to them after several reports. Spence will be transferring from Ohio State to Eastern Kentucky to finish out his college playing days. Spence is considered by many draft analysts as having excellent talent that could have landed him in the beginning rounds of the NFL draft. Eastern Kentucky is also coached by Dean Hood, a good friend of Urban Meyer's, which might not be coincidental.

Though he had the option to declare for the upcoming draft, it appears Spence will play one more year at the college level before trying out for the NFL and will look to, perhaps, increase his draft stock after sitting out the 2014 campaign.

After Spence was suspended by Ohio State for failing drug tests on multiple occasions, it comes as no surprise that he felt it was time to move on from Columbus. Now the 6'3, 250-pound defensive end can focus on a productive final season to ensure scouts that he's still willing to work hard and play alongside some of the other talented players in the draft. While it's unfortunate that Spence couldn't finish out his career as a Buckeye, he'll still have a shot to make it to the next level.

In his time at Ohio State, Spence played in 24 games, starting 13 of them and coming off of a first-team all-Big Ten Conference season in 2013. Spence racked up 64 total tackles, 15.5 career tackles-for-loss and 9.0 quarterback sacks. The now former Buckeye was also a two-time OSU Scholar-Athlete.

We wish Noah Spence the very best for his future and hope to see him on an NFL field in the future.