Ohio State defensive lineman Jacolbe Cowan enters transfer portal

COLUMBUS — Per a report from On3.com national writer Matt Zenitz, Ohio State defensive lineman Jacolbe Cowan has entered the transfer portal.

Cowan confirmed that with his own tweet on Monday afternoon.

An early enrolled player from the Class of 2020, Cowan was eager to contribute when he arrived in Columbus. As a recruit, Cowan’s potential was tantalizing for the Buckeyes.

Cowan’s frame is that of an elite prospect, and that’s one of the reasons why he has been recruited by Johnson and Ohio State for more than a year to this point. It is worth watching from here is what he does with that frame, because Cowan’s preference is to play defensive end. But at 265 pounds already, it seems possible that he turns into a 6-foot-5, 290-pound player by the time he’s fully immersed in the Buckeyes weight program.

From Analyzing impact of Jacolbe Cowan committing to Ohio State

Getting a head start in the weight room was one of the primary reasons Cowan enrolled early at Ohio State.

“Really and truly, just getting the head start of everything in terms of academically, getting that semester so I can potentially graduate early in like three and a half years,” Cowan said. “That’s the end goal  And of course, getting acclimated to the weight room as well. Just getting stronger and giving me the best shot to play come fall.”

Now a third-year player from Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day School, Jacolbe Cowan dealt with injuries that slowed down his development in Columbus but kept fighting through them with an eye on finding the field more in his redshirt freshman season in 2021.

As the Buckeyes struggled to find defensive consistency, Cowan struggled to find his role with Ohio State. He appeared in seven games a season ago and recorded three tackles.

And now he’ll explore taking his 6-foot-5, 262-pound frame elsewhere. He is the sixth player from the Buckeyes 2020 recruiting class to leave the Ohio State program.