Despite still in the College Football Playoff national championship race, Ohio State football is still dealing with the transfer portal and offensive tackle, Zen Michalski, announced his intentions to transfer, but also to still help the Buckeyes during this run.

There has certainly been more early activity in the transfer portal for Ohio State than we’ve seen in year’s past, especially considering the Buckeyes are in the throws of a College Football Playoff national championship chase.

Ohio State walk-on tight end Patrick Gurd entered the transfer portal on Sunday. The fifth-year senior had carved out a small role on the offense and had played as a fullback and an extra tight end when called upon.

Days before No. 8 seed Ohio State faces No. 5 seed Texas in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, the Buckeyes learned they will not have tight end Patrick Gurd available after his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal ahead of the College Football Playoff semifinals.

The Ohio State Buckeyes have been plenty active in the transfer portal for college football despite the College Football Playoff going on. Ohio State has already picked up a few commitments from the portal and they are in pursuit of another very talented player.

George Fitzpatrick became the third offensive lineman to enter the transfer portal, doing so just days after the Buckeyes’ win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl. He joins Zen Michalski (Indiana) and Miles Walker (Boise State), who’ve already found new homes.

It appears that yet another star player is departing a top SEC program to transfer to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Last year, Ohio State successfully brought in Caleb Downs and Seth McLaughlin from Alabama,