Ohio State junior safety Isaiah Pryor has entered the transfer portal.
The-Ozone has confirmed Pryor’s inclusion on the NCAA’s list of prospective transfers. The story was first reported by ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren.
Pryor, who is a true junior and still has two years of eligibility left, can redshirt this season because he only played in four games. Ideally he will maintain his two years of playing time remaining and apply them to his new school.
After starting seven games last year as a sophomore and posting 31 tackles, Pryor played mostly as a reserve on defense and on special teams this season. He found his role diminishing, especially with increased playing time going to sophomore safety Josh Proctor. Pryor finished with three tackles.
Pryor came to Ohio State from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida where he was one of the top safety prospects in the nation.
With the Buckeyes now having hit the four-game mark, transfers this time of year no longer come as a huge surprise due to the redshirt rule put in place last year allowing student-athletes to play in four games and not lose a season of eligibility.
This is the new normal as players evaluate where they stand after four games, and if they have a redshirt year remaining, many are choosing to use it as they search for a new program to join.
With Ohio State’s new defense featuring essentially just one deep safety — which is Pryor’s best position in this defense — his transfer appears to be a depth chart matter. Being the No. 3 deep safety this season and possibly the No. 2 safety next year as a senior doesn’t appear to be the path Pryor wanted to take, especially after starting as a true sophomore.
Pryor is a gifted athlete with good size (6-2 200) who should be a coveted player on the transfer market.
Ohio State has not issued a statement regarding the transfer, but head coach Ryan Day will speak with reporters at his weekly Tuesday press conference at noon.
Update (4:50 pm): Ohio State confirms they are aware that Pryor is in the transfer portal.
For you guys who think that he should not be allowed to transfer, do you think that Ohio State should be allowed to change defensive coaches and put in a new plan that devalues his best position. Good luck kid. Follow Joe Burrows footsteps.
This is ridiculous and should not be allowed in the middle of the year! Totally disrupted and disrespectful to your team. NCAA needs to get a handle on this now!
Good luck Isaiah! I will root for you wherever you may land. I am sure he didn’t come to this conclusion on his own. There is nothing wrong with giving yourself the best opportunity to succeed. I still don’t understand why “fans” believe that we OWN these players. We hold these kids to higher standards than adults. They commit at 16-17 yrs old as if we never had a change of heart before, meanwhile these coaches and boosters can leave at any time and it is just a business decision.
Wasn’t he the one that was said to have so many INTs in Fall camp?
I believe you’re thinking of Josh Procter.
Bucks1962- you are a brave man! Get ready for the “it’s his RIGHT!” crowd to skewer you- even though you are spot on.
Wow this is crazy allowing this during a season. How can you build depth in case of injuries or disciplinary action? I have no problem with a young athlete transferring in the off season like Joe Burrow and I cheer for his success every week at LSU and others who left OSU in the off season but bailing on your teammates during the season just seems wrong to me and horrible for team chemistry.
Will Pryor continue to take classes and attend practices and just not dress for games with that being his choice?
completely agree Bucks1962. essentially quitting mid season for almost any reason but health or family, etc. is just sorry.
(and while off-topic, isn’t it just a little sweet to see Mayfield play so crappy so far?)
My understanding is that he will take a redshirt this year and still take classes, because he is in fact on track to graduate in 3 years, which is tether impressive. Therefore he will be a graduate transfer and not only be able to play for two more years, but also obtain his masters degree.