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.