Ohio State quarterback pledge Air Noland reaffirms commitment status
COLUMBUS — Ohio State is seeing and feeling the effect and impact of the transfer portal on its opening day. The Buckeyes had a few of their players announce their intentions to enter the portal before the Dec. 4 opening. But on Monday morning when starting quarterback Kyle McCord entered the portal, Air Noland immediately started trending on social media.
The four-star Fairburn (Ga) Langston Hughes quarterback and Ohio State pledge saw his name take over Twitter/X. Whether it was for good reasons or not, Noland took the 30 seconds it needed to send a simple and powerful message.
“I’m a 100% committed to The Ohio State.”
Noland, the No. 4 quarterback and No. 36 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Rankings, committed to Ohio State on April 8 after a recruiting process that started in late 2022. When the Buckeyes were recruiting tight end Jelani Thurman from Langston Hughes, they had no choice but to watch Noland. Even when Dylan Raiola was committed to Ohio State, the Buckeyes were looking at Noland.
Things moved quickly, however, once Raiola decommitted in December 2022. Lettermen Row got into contact with Noland in January after the All-American Bowl.
“Ohio State has excelled better and better throughout the years,” Noland said. “Ohio State has definitely produced NFL talent, but if you look outside of in between the white lines, I think Ohio State is a great community.
“If [Ohio State] offered, I couldn’t tell you that things wouldn’t change,” he said, “Things would definitely change.”
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Well, that’s what happened three months later. Ohio State offered Noland when he made his debut visit to campus. It was a star-studded weekend with Noland on campus as well as James Peoples, Max LeBlanc, Mylan Graham, Charles Lester III, Marquise Lightfoot and more.
It only took a week after that unofficial visit before Noland committed to Ohio State. Ever since then, all he’s done is represent the Buckeyes at the Elite 11, turn in an impressive senior season and stay locked in.
Air Noland will sign his letter of intent in a few weeks and then arrive on campus in January. With McCord in the portal, the incoming lefty will have a shot and compete against Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz and potentially an addition from the portal.
This fall, Noland went 149-224 for 2,140 yards and 22 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He also had 101 rushing yards and a ground score on 19 carries. In his preps career, Noland threw for over 10,000 yards and 126 passing touchdowns.
