Buckeyes land Oklahoma State transfer
Former Oklahoma State safety Tanner Mccalister is following Jim Knowles to Ohio State.
After putting his name in the transfer portal two weeks ago, Mccalister will join the Buckeyes, reuniting him with Knowles, who was recently hired as the program’s new defensive coordinator.
Mccalister started for two seasons for the Cowboys and has one season of eligibility remaining.
He finished with 42 tackles, one interception and six pass break-ups in 2021.
For a majority of his time at Oklahoma State, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Mccalister lined up in the slot in pass coverage, appearing in the role on 318 of the 696 snaps he saw on defense this past fall, according to data kept by Pro Football Focus. He also saw time at free safety and contributed on special teams.
Mccalister’s familiarity with Knowles’ defense should help Ohio State, too, having spent four seasons in the system.
He was a three-star recruit as a cornerback and is from Rockwall, Texas, the same hometown as Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-njigba.
The addition of Mccalister marked the second time since the end of the regular season that the Buckeyes have gone into the transfer portal to bolster their defense. On Christmas, they picked up Arizona State transfer Deamonte Trayanum, a former running back for the Sun
Devils who will play linebacker at Ohio State.
Offensive line coach Studrawa not retained
Ohio State is not retaining offensive line coach Greg Studrawa.
Studrawa, 57, had spent six seasons on the Buckeyes’ coaching staff.
A contract extension he signed two years ago expires at the end of this month.
The Buckeyes’ rushing offense struggled late in the season, including being held to 64 yards rushing in their loss at Michigan.
Studrawa is the second assistant gone from Ryan Day’s staff since the season ended last weekend, following secondary coach Matt Barnes, who left to become the defensive coordinator at Memphis.