Ohio State Tight End Joe Royer Entering Transfer Portal

Ohio State fourth-year junior tight end Joe Royer is entering the transfer portal.

Royer, who played at Cincinnati Elder High School, was a 2020 signee for the Buckeyes. In his three seasons at Ohio State, he caught four passes for 24 yards.

Royer was a four-star prospect out of Elder. He was ranked the No. 8 tight end in the 2020 class, and the No. 211 prospect overall.

Royer was a 2021 Academic All-Big Ten selection. He has had to battle injuries for much of his OSU career, and has missed much of the 2022 season following the passing of his mother.

The Buckeyes signed 25 players in Royer’s 2020 recruiting class. Eleven of those players have now transferred. Three of them — quarterback CJ Stroud, left tackle Paris Johnson, and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba have been first-round NFL Draft picks.

Royer is now the 13th Buckeye to enter the transfer portal. With Royer on his way out, the Ohio State tight end room in 2024 will be missing at least Royer and 2023 starter Cade Stover, who is expected to pass on a sixth year of eligibility.

Fourth-year junior Gee Scott, Jr. was the Buckeyes’ No. 2 tight end this past season. True freshman Jelani Thurman is also a player that the OSU coaches are excited about.

Third-year sophomore Sam Hart has yet to get much playing time with the Buckeyes, and redshirt freshman Bennett Christian missed this season due to an eligibility issue.

Ohio State currently has two tight ends committed in the 2024 recruiting class.

The news of Joe Royer’s departure was first reported by Rivals.com’s Austin Ward.

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