Ohio State Hosting Transfer Edge Rusher Beau Atkinson Amid Search for D-Line Depth
As the 2025 season approaches, the Ohio State Buckeyes are looking to bolster their defensive line—and help might be on the way. According to On3’s Hayes Fawcett, former North Carolina edge rusher Beau Atkinson is planning a visit to Columbus this spring.
Although an official visit date has not yet been set, Atkinson is expected to visit both Ohio State and Georgia as he explores his transfer options.
The 6-foot-6, 265-pound pass rusher made an impact with the Tar Heels last season, appearing in all 13 games and recording 24 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 12 tackles for loss. Over two seasons at UNC, Atkinson totaled 11 sacks, 17 TFLs, and 54 tackles across 26 games.
Atkinson entered the transfer portal on Wednesday following a coaching change in Chapel Hill, as Mack Brown stepped down and Bill Belichick took over the program. His addition would provide valuable experience and depth to an already talented Buckeyes front.
Ohio State Eyes Transfer Portal for Edge Rush Help as Defensive Line Turnover Looms
With several key contributors from Ohio State’s dominant 2024–25 defensive line expected to be selected in next week’s NFL Draft, the Buckeyes are facing the challenge of reloading in the trenches. As a result, there’s been growing speculation throughout the offseason that the team could look to the transfer portal to bolster its edge rusher depth.
Head coach Ryan Day addressed the possibility following Ohio State’s spring game on Saturday.
“I think we’ve got to take a hard look at it,” Day said, per On3’s Spencer Holbrook. “I don’t think I have the answer right now, but we’ve got to look at it. It seemed to me like there was just a lot of knock-back on the offensive side of the ball here, but then again, I don’t want to make any judgements until I watch the film.”
With all four starting defensive linemen from last season needing to be replaced, the Buckeyes are expected to be active in seeking reinforcements. The potential addition of a transfer like Beau Atkinson—who recently entered the portal after a coaching change at North Carolina—could help fill that void as Ohio State retools its front line for another title push in 2025.
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