Former North Carolina standout Beau Atkinson, one of the top defensive ends in the transfer portal, committed to Ohio State on Wednesday night.
The 6-foot-6, 265 pound edge rusher visited Columbus on Monday and chose the reigning national champions over Georgia and South Carolina. He has two years of eligibility left and can be an immediate-impact player for the Buckeyes, who were looking for help along the defensive line.
The Raleigh, N.C., native entered the portal on April 15 and immediately saw interest from across the country. A four-star recruit in the Class of 2022, he tallied 54 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks in the past two seasons, with 7.5 of those sacks coming last year. Though he started just one game in 2024, he led the Tar Heels and finished 12th in the ACC with 12 tackles for loss. Defensive tackle may be a bigger need for Ohio State than defensive end, but Atkinson was too good for the Buckeyes not to pursue to round out their pass rush.
Adding a player who is more than a one-year rental is a big deal for Ohio State because it lost both Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau to the NFL Draft. A proven veteran like Atkinson will help ease the transition to a new generation of pass rushers. Ohio State now goes into the season with Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Caden Curry and Atkinson fighting for starting jobs, with C.J. Hicks playing a versatile role in the rotation and Idaho State transfer Logan George ready to carve out playing time too.
Whether or not Atkinson will start Week 1 against Texas will be decided in preseason camp, but regardless, his presence gives defensive line coach Larry Johnson a deeper and more talented rotation than he expected to have a few months ago.
The Buckeyes aren’t done in the portal, either. Ohio State is still pursuing immediate help at defensive tackle, even after missing out on Syracuse transfer Maraad Watson, who chose Texas.
For now, adding Atkinson is good news for an Ohio State team that is trying to reload after winning the national championship and losing eight defensive starters.
(Photo: Bob Donnan / Imagn Images)
