Former OSU QB denied eligibility for 2019

The NCAA has reportedly denied the transfer waiver request by former Ohio State quarterback Matthew Baldwin, who’s now at TCU.

The Fort Worth Startelegram reported the ruling on Thursday. The newspaper said that TCU is expected to file an appeal next week.

Baldwin left Ohio State after spring practice. He was competing with Justin Fields for the starting quarterback job for the Buckeyes after the departure of Dwayne Haskins Jr. and Tate Martell.

Baldwin was considered a long shot to win the job. He completed 20 of 36 passes in the Buckeyes’ spring game, throwing 23 more passes than Fields did. Days later, he announced that he would leave the program.

“Spring was a tough time for me personally,” Baldwin wrote in a tweet announcing his departure. “My family and I have prayed and talked a lot about where I belong and what is best for me. In the end, we feel like it’d be better for me to step away from Ohio State. I want everyone to know this isn’t done out of anger or frustration, but I’m not just a football player.”

Martell transferred to the University of Miami and, like Fields, was granted a waiver from the rule that requires players changing schools to sit out a season.

At Big 12 media days, TCU coach Gary Patterson said that Baldwin had offseason surgery and wouldn’t be ready for the Horned Frogs’ training camp, which starts Friday.

Ohio State is ranked fifth in the coaches’ college football poll, which was released Thursday.

Defending national champion Clemson was picked first in the preseason poll for the first time, receiving 59 of the 65 first-place votes. The Tigers were followed by Alabama, Georgia and Oklahoma.

The Buckeyes are the highest-ranked team from the Big Ten, which had seven schools in the top 25. Michigan is at No. 7, Penn State at No. 14, Wisconsin at No. 17, Iowa at No. 19, Michigan State at No. 20 and Northwestern at No. 25.