Just days before No. 8 seed Ohio State is scheduled to face No. 5 seed Texas in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, the Buckeyes were dealt a blow with the announcement that tight end Patrick Gurd will not be available for the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals. Gurd, a redshirt senior with one year of eligibility remaining, made the decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal. This unexpected departure means Ohio State will need to adjust its depth at the tight end position ahead of the high-stakes matchup against Texas.

Gurd played in 13 games for the Buckeyes during the 2023 season and contributed modestly to the offense, recording one catch for six yards. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 249 pounds, Gurd is known for his academic accomplishments as much as his on-field presence. He is a four-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and a member of the Hampshire Honor Society, which recognizes college football players who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher throughout their academic careers. Despite his limited production on the field, Gurd’s commitment to both athletics and academics was a point of pride for the program.

Even with Gurd’s departure, Ohio State remains well-stocked at tight end, with several players ahead of him on the depth chart. The Buckeyes will have tight ends like Gee Scott Jr., Will Kacmarek, Jelani Thurman, and Bennett Christian available for the CFP semifinals. Scott’s eligibility expires after this season, but Kacmarek, Thurman, and Christian will return in 2024, giving Ohio State continuity at the position. The team has also bolstered its tight end room by adding Max Klare, a former Purdue tight end, who committed to the Buckeyes on December 23. Klare is ranked No. 18 in On3Sports’ transfer portal player rankings. The redshirt sophomore enjoyed a strong 2023 campaign, recording 51 catches for 685 yards and four touchdowns, and is expected to make an immediate impact on Ohio State’s offense.

While Gurd’s decision to enter the transfer portal is a setback for the Buckeyes just before the CFP semifinals, they are well-positioned to continue their push for a national championship with the depth and talent remaining in their tight end corps.