According to several reports, Ohio State is set to host a trio of transfer prospects on campus this weekend, including former Ole Miss defensive tackle Tywone Malone, former San Diego State offensive tackle Josh Simmons and former Notre Dame wide receiver Lorenzo Styles Jr.
Styles has the strongest built-in connection with Ohio State as his younger brother, Sonny, is entering his season season with the Buckeyes, and their father, Lorenzo Sr., played linebacker at Ohio State. Styles Jr. entered the portal on April 21 after two seasons with the Fighting Irish, appearing in 26 games (eight starts) and hauling in 54 receptions for 684 yards and two touchdowns.
While Styles’ receiving acumen was on display at Notre Dame, he switched to cornerback during spring camp for the Fighting Irish and would remain at that position should he transfer to Ohio State, which originally recruited Styles as a defensive back. He was the No. 115 overall prospect in the 2021 class out of Pickerington (Ohio) Central and was the fifth-ranked prospect out of the Buckeye State, and would have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Another potential depth addition would be that of Malone, who entered the portal on April 19 after two seasons with the Rebels. He played in just one game during his freshman season but saw action in 13 games this season, totaling 10 tackles, a sack and two pass breakups.
With Ohio State returning Mike Hall Jr., Ty Hamilton and Tyliek Williams at defensive tackle, as well as seeing a continued rise from redshirt freshman Hero Kanu, Malone would factor into defensive line coach Larry Johnson’s talented rotation with three seasons of eligibility remaining.
The one potential transfer that could come in and compete for a starting job is Simmons, who entered the portal on April 15. He started all 13 games this season at right tackle for San Diego State and has three years of eligibility remaining.
With Ohio State’s struggles on the offensive line throughout the spring, specifically at the tackle spots, Simmons addition can offer a boost to the rest of the room and potentially a new starter if he were to come to Ohio State and compete alongside Josh Fryar, Zen Michalski and Tegra Tshabola.
After the recent transfers of wideout Caleb Burton and offensive lineman Ben Christman, Ohio State now sits at 86 scholarships accounted for, so the Buckeyes would expect at least one player to transfer to get to the NCAA limit, and additional transfers would be required to add Malone, Simmons or Styles.
