Jantzen Dunn, Ohio State Defensive Back, will Transfer to Kentucky

For the second time this offseason, a Kentucky native is coming home. Bowling Green native Jantzen Dunn announced Sunday afternoon he will transfer from Ohio State to Kentucky. Tanner Bowles, an anterior offensive lineman from Glasgow, announced a transfer from Alabama to Kentucky last week.

The former four-star recruit was a top-200 prospect overall and the No. 2 player in Kentucky in the class of 2021. Jantzen Dunn initially committed to Ryan Day and the Ohio State program over Kentucky, Louisville and Tennessee. He’s Kentucky’s second high-profile addition to the secondary from the transfer portal, following Cincinnati’s JQ Hardaway, another former four-star prospect.

Kentucky’s recruitment of Jantzen Dunn moved quickly. He entered the transfer portal on Tuesday. The following day Vince Marrow was visiting with the Kentucky native in person. This weekend he officially visited Kentucky’s campus and decided to commit.

New home! #GoBigBlue lets get to work! pic.twitter.com/4oqUHGAxuF

— Jantzen Dunn (@JantzenDunn) December 18, 2022

In his two years at Ohio State, Dunn only saw the field on special teams in 2022 as a redshirt freshman. During his first year on campus, the former blue-chip prospect saw defensive snaps (9) against Akron in Week 4. Dunn will be a redshirt sophomore in 2023 with three years of eligibility remaining. The versatile defensive back could potentially play cornerback, nickel, or safety at the college level.

A 6-foot-2, 180-pound athlete, he has the length Kentucky loves in its cornerbacks. Following the departure of Keidron Smith and Carrington Valentine, adding a quality, lengthy athlete like Dunn is just what the Wildcats’ secondary needs. Expect to see Jantzen Dunn on Kentucky’s campus competing for a starting position this spring.