Joey Velazquez, a transfer linebacker from Michigan, joins Ohio State football as a walk-on
A spokeswoman for Ohio State announced on Monday that walk-on linebacker Joey Velazquez, a transfer from Michigan who played high school football at DeSales, has joined the team.
Velazquez is working out with the Buckeyes for strength and conditioning throughout the winter.
Before entering his name in the NCAA transfer portal in December, he played for the Wolverines for five seasons.
His time at Michigan was mostly spent on special teams, where he covered, returned kickoffs and punts, and was a member of the field-goal block unit. His career total is eight tackles.
Velazquez played outfield for the Michigan Wolverines baseball team as well. Prior to switching to Michigan, he had committed to play baseball for the Buckeyes. He will just be a member of the football squad at Ohio State; he will not participate in either sport.
Joey Velazquez, formerly of Michigan, has transferred to Ohio State.
Former Michigan Wolverines linebacker Joey Velazquez will depart Ann Arbor and rejoin the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, according to Eleven Warriors.
Even though Michigan is the best team in college football, one Wolverine is breaking enemy territory this offseason.
Eleven Warriors reports that linebacker Joey Velazquez has gone as a graduate transfer to Ohio State. This spring, the former three-star prospect from 2019 will enroll as a walk-on at the Buckeyes.
Columbus native Velazquez played with the Wolverines for five seasons, appearing in sixteen games. In 10 games and a career-high six tackles in 2021, he had his greatest season to date. At the end of his Wolverine career, the 6-2, 222-pound defender recorded eight tackles and one fumble recovery.
Velazquez will try to use James Laurinaitis to get through the two-man depth chart at Ohio State. A picture of all the linebackers, including Velazquez, enjoying Super Bowl LVIII at his Columbus house was recently shared by the former All-American Buckeyes great.
Velazquez’s arrival brings the Buckeyes’ total number of transfers through the portal to seven following their 14-3 Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri. Pro players such as quarterback Will Howard (Kansas State), safety Caleb Downs (Alabama), center Chase McLaughlin (Alabama), and running back Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss) should be ready to go from the first week of practice.
tense conclusion Cade Stover, a nominee for the John Mackey Award, may depart, giving Will Kacmarek (Ohio) the opportunity to start in spring practice. The 6-foot-6 St. Louis native caught 22 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns in his final season with the Bobcats.
Ryan Day Is Thinking About Changing Roles at Ohio State
After Nick Saban retired, Ohio State also signed five-star recruit and former Alabama signee Julian Sayin. Along with Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholtz, and four-star prospect Air Noland, Sayin—ranked No. 2 by On3 for 2024—will fight for the starting position. However, he may decide to redshirt in order to preserve his eligibility for another season.
On August 31, the Buckeyes play Akron in Ohio Stadium to kick up the 2024 campaign.
