Ohio State LB Dante Booker now expected to stay in Columbus, despite earlier report

UPDATE: Shortly after the initial report by BuckNuts that Ohio State would be losing another linebacker heading into the 2018 season, they retracted the story citing a team source saying there was no change in Booker’s status.

So, as of now, the Buckeyes can continue on trying to fill just two of the starting linebacker spots.

In a shocking report, BuckNuts’ Alex Gleitman is reporting that Ohio State’s starting linebacker Dante Booker is expected to transfer away from the program after graduating this spring. The Buckeyes lost starters Jerome Baker and Chris Worley to the NFL Draft, and will now apparently need to replace all three starting linebackers.

In three years at Ohio State, Booker has amassed 62 tackles, including six for loss, but now it appears that the Akron native will be taking his talents elsewhere, and will be able to play immediately, following receiving his degree in Sports Industry. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.

The linebacking corps was a bit underwhelming this past season under new coach Bill Davis, and Booker, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 2016 season-opener against Bowling Green, never found his stride in 2017. He accounted for 31 total tackles, including five behind the line of scrimmage. He also picked off one ball.

Off the field, Booker was a 2014 OSU Scholar-Athlete and a 2015 Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

With all three 2017 starting linebackers now gone, it will be up to Davis to find contributors to fill in at the second level. Younger players like Tuf Borland, Malik Harrison, Baron Browning, Keandre Jones, and Justin Hilliard will be asked to step up.

Good luck to Booker wherever he decides to conclude his collegiate career.