Potential Ohio State running back target hits transfer portal

Trying to replace a standout running back such as J.K. Dobbins was never going to be easy for Ryan Day and the Ohio State coaching staff. Now having to deal with injuries to Master Teague and Marcus Crowley, it leaves the Buckeyes running back room a little bare this spring.

Potentially looking to add another body in the backfield, Day and crew could come calling for one of the latest names on the transfer market. Now looking for a new college home, former Oklahoma running back Trey Sermon will more than likely receive a call from the staff at Ohio State as soon as his name officially hits the transfer portal.

No stranger to Columbus or the Ohio State Buckeyes football program, visiting campus as a recruit and a player during his time at Oklahoma, Sermon chose the Sooners over scholarships from Ohio State, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, and a long list of other top notch programs as a senior in 2017 at Sprayberry High in Marietta, Georgia.

Backing his off the field accolades up while on it, the 6-foot, 222-pounder showed big play ability on the ground and through the air while at Oklahoma before sustaining a knee injury early last season as a junior. During Sermon’s three years in Norman he rushed for over 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns, while also hauling in 36 receptions for another 391 yards, and three trips to the end-zone.

With playing time up for grabs, If Sermon does decide to call Columbus his future stomping grounds for next season he’d join not just the aforementioned banged up Teague and Crowley, but also Steele Chambers, incoming true freshman Miyan Williams, and Demario McCall — who could also see time at the H-Back spot.

One of the top names on the market, 247Sports had the following to say on Sermon and what he brings to a team:

“A running back with a great frame. Will fill it out over time. Runs with a blend of power and grace. More of an upright runner, so needs to run lower, with better pad level, and that will help him down the road. Not elite speed, but covers a lot of ground quickly with his strides. Even at his size, he has show the ability to make guys miss, make the quick cut, and is more athletic than some may think. His hands out of the backfield are an asset too.”

Not familiar with Trey Sermon’s play on the field? Get a small taste of what he brings to the table with these highlights of him action during his time with the Oklahoma Sooners:

Quick Hits:

• Four-star 2021 cornerback Jakailin “JK” Johnson verbally committed to the Ohio State football program on Sunday afternoon. The 11th pledge for the Buckeyes, Johnson, a Saint Louis native, picked OSU over offers from Clemson, Florida, Georgia, and many others
• Clemson and Ohio State will once again battle it out for a highly sought after prospect. Now down to two programs, Cardinal Gibbons (FL) four-star 2021 wide receiver Troy Stellato will suit up on the college level for either the Buckeyes or Tigers, according to his Twitter.