After entering his name into the transfer portal earlier this month, former Ohio State linebacker/safety Brendon White announced on Friday his decision to transfer to Rutgers. There, the 6-2, 215-pound White will be reunited with former Buckeyes defensive coordinator Greg Schiano, who is in the first month of his second stint as head coach of the Scarlet Knights.
Jeremiah 29:11… pic.twitter.com/Uew0NYDAU4
— Brendon White (@therealestbw0) December 27, 2019
White — a former four-star prospect from nearby Powell Olentangy Liberty — was expected to be an impact player for the Buckeyes this season after he started five games last fall and earned defensive player of the game honors in the Rose Bowl. But his role was minimized when Schiano was let go by first-year head coach Ryan Day and replaced with co-defensive coordinators Greg Mattison and Jeff Hafley.
The two new assistants implemented a new scheme that uses one high safety and three cornerbacks as its base personnel, as well as a hybrid linebacker/safety spot known as the Bullet that would seemingly maximize White’s unique skill set in run support and coverage. But he finished the season with just 19 tackles and one sack in 11 games as outside linebacker Pete Werner took most of the snaps at the position instead.
White missed Ohio State’s 34-21 win over Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship for what Day called personal reasons, then announced his decision to transfer a few days later. He becomes the second former Buckeye to transfer to Rutgers since Schiano’s arrival, joining defensive tackle Malik Barrow (by way of UCF).
A junior this season, white will have one year of eligibility remaining. It’s unclear at this time, however, if he’ll redshirt this coming season or be eligible immediately.
Welcome to the F.A.M.I.L.Y. @therealestbw0 #CHOP pic.twitter.com/a7MDSiQ640
— Greg Schiano (@GregSchiano) December 27, 2019
