The Ohio State Buckeyes’ recent victory over Michigan may not have occurred on the football field, but rather through a transfer acquisition. Reports indicate that the Buckeyes have secured transfer linebacker Joey Velazquez from their rival Wolverines.
Velazquez, who spent the past five seasons at Michigan, will join Ohio State as a walk-on, having already participated in winter workouts with the team. His decision to transfer was made public back in December when he entered the transfer portal.
Interestingly, Velazquez’s athletic journey has seen him commit to both Ohio State and Michigan, initially opting for Michigan after initially committing to Ohio State to play baseball out of high school.
During his time at Michigan, Velazquez showcased his versatility by excelling in both baseball and football. On the baseball field, he started 38 games as a senior, tallying four home runs and 36 hits.
In football, Velazquez’s contributions were primarily on special teams, recording seven tackles over his tenure at Michigan. His return to Ohio State, where he played high school football at DeSales High School in Columbus, offers him the opportunity to represent his hometown team while pursuing his education.
Though he joins Ohio State as a walk-on, his experience and potential impact on the scout team or special teams are noteworthy.
Ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 86 safety in his high school class of 2019, Velazquez brings his athleticism and skills to bolster Ohio State’s roster. Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 222 pounds, he adds depth to the linebacker position.
For Ohio State, victories over Michigan have been rare of late, making every win, whether on or off the field, significant. Velazquez’s arrival represents a subtle yet strategic move that could potentially benefit the Buckeyes in various ways.
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