Buckeyes reserve safety Cedrick Hawkins expected to enter transfer portal
COLUMBUS — Ohio State safety Cedrick Hawkins plans to enter the transfer portal, he tells On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
The former four-star recruit will have four years of eligibility remaining at his next stop.
He was part of a deep, talented safety room this spring, but now he will look for his next home after two spring practice sessions and one season with the Buckeyes.
Hawkins was the No. 357 overall player in the country for the class of 2023. He was the No. 31 safety and No. 66 player in the state of Florida, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.
After being recruited by Kerry Coombs and the previous defensive staff, he signed to play in a safety room coached by Perry Eliano. Now with Matt Guerrieri in the room, Hawkins is on his second safeties coach in as many seasons.
He logged 0 career snaps for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State feels good about the safety depth it has in the room thanks to the transfer portal addition of Caleb Downs this winter, the return of Lathan Ransom and developed depth.
“It’s been highly competitive, I would say,” Ohio State safeties coach Matt Guerrieri said this spring. “The film room is highly competitive. The field work is highly competitive. You’ve got a bunch of guys and a good mix of veterans and young guys. We talk about expectations and being constantly on the rise. That’s what we’ve been able to do so far.”
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Hawkins was never a factor when it came to playing time this spring, even after Ohio State was without safeties Lathan Ransom, Malik Hartford and Ja’Had Carter during team drills in March and April.
His lack of momentum as a riser up the depth chart, as freshman safety Jaylen McClain began to show signs that he can add depth to the safety room, was a sign that Hawkins may be considering the portal. Now he’s set to enter it after just one year and two springs with the Buckeyes.
Want to talk more about Cedrick Hawkins entering the transfer portal? Come chat about it in the Lettermen Lounge message board.
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