Early Enrollees Arrive on Campus, Begin Classes

COLUMBUS, Ohio – As the calendar flipped to 2023 and a new semester began Monday on the Ohio State campus, the Buckeyes welcomed 12 early enrollee freshmen and three transfers to its roster over the weekend. The new freshmen members of the team are:

• Noah Rogers, a wide receiver from Rolesville, N.C. (Rolesville High School);
• Bryson Rodgers, a wide receiver from Zephyrhills, Fla. (Wiregrass Ranch High School);
• Carnell Tate, a wide receiver from Chicago, Ill. (IMG Academy);
• Jelani Thurman, a tight end from Fairburn, Ga. (Langston Hughes High School);
• Luke Montgomery, an offensive lineman from Findlay, Ohio (Findlay High School);
• Joshua Padilla, an offensive lineman from Huber Heights, Ohio (Wayne High School);
• Austin Siereveld, an offensive lineman Liberty Township, Ohio (Lakota East High School);
• Miles Walker, an offensive lineman from Greenwich, Conn. (Brunswick School);
• Will Smith, a defensive lineman from Dublin, Ohio (Dublin Coffman High School);
• Malik Hartford, a safety from West Chester, Ohio (Lakota West High School);
• Jermaine Mathews, a cornerback from Cincinnati, Ohio (Winton Woods High School)
• Willtrell Hartson, a running back from Massillon, Ohio (Massillon Washington High School)

By position, the class of early enrollees has four offensive linemen, three wide receivers and one each at tight end, running back, defensive line, safety and cornerback. Over half of them – seven – are from Ohio, including three of the four offensive linemen.

Three members of this year’s group arrived in Columbus immediately after playing in the All-American Bowl last Saturday in San Antonio. SAF Malik Hartford, OL Luke Montgomery and WR Carnell Tate all suited up for the East squad, which won 55-17.

In addition to the group above, Ohio State also added a trio of transfers: John Ferlmann, a long snapper from Arizona State, kicker Casey Magyar, a native of Dublin, Ohio who spent the 2021 season at Kent State, and Ja’Had Carter, a three-year starter at safety from Syracuse, who will join the team Jan. 14.

Prior to the start of spring practice the first week of March, the newest Buckeyes will not only acclimate to their new classes and surroundings, but they’ll also go through winter conditioning workouts with coach Mickey Marotti, Ohio State’s assistant athletic director for sports performance, and his staff.