Ohio State Defensive Back Tyreke Johnson Enters Transfer Portal

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A fourth scholarship player on Ohio State’s roster has entered the transfer portal this year.

This time it is defensive back Tyreke Johnson, a former five-star recruit that had not found his way up through the Buckeyes’ depth chart in his three seasons with the team. He played in 11 total games across three seasons with Ohio State, and he tallied eight tackles in those contests.

Officially in the portal.

— tyreke johnson (@Im_showtime_) May 12, 2021

Johnson was a highly regarded prospect out of Jacksonville Trinity Christian Academy. He was the No. 2 overall safety and No. 21 overall overall prospect in the 2018 class.

In April of last year, Ohio State defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs talked highly of Johnson, and said he was excited to see what the veteran defensive back could bring to the secondary.

“He is a very smart player, and I am looking forward to him competing his butt off in the fall,” Coombs said. “I’m excited about Tyreke, so I think he’s going to have every opportunity to prove himself out there on the field, and I’m looking forward to watching him play.”

Johnson joins wide receivers Mookie Cooper and Jameson Williams, as well as offensive tackle Max Wray as the Buckeyes who have entered the portal in 2021. Cooper and Williams went to Missouri and Alabama, respectively, while Wray departed to Colorado. Johnson has not yet announced his transfer destination.