Air Noland, the Ohio State true freshman quarterback, has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal less than one year after joining the Buckeyes. Noland made his announcement through Hayes Fawcett of On3.com, seeking new opportunities after being unable to carve out playing time at Ohio State.
Ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 4 quarterback in the Class of 2024 by 247Sports' composite rankings, Noland's future at Ohio State became uncertain following the arrival of top-rated freshman transfer Julian Sayin from Alabama. Noland, who is 6'2" and weighs 195 pounds, was previously considered one of the most promising young quarterbacks following his high school career. He threw for over 10,000 yards and 126 touchdowns during four seasons at Langston Hughes High School and led his team to its first state championship title.
During his junior year, Noland broke records by throwing for 55 touchdowns, ranking second all-time for single-season touchdowns thrown by a Georgia high school quarterback, surpassing NFL stars Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson's best seasons. "He has early-round NFL Draft upside, especially with his business-like mindset," noted Andrew Ivins, the director of scouting for 247Sports.
At Ohio State, the emergence of Julian Sayin, bolstered by the retirement of legendary coach Nick Saban, rapidly altered the dynamics of the quarterback competition. Sayin's impressive performance after transferring overshadowed Noland's adjustments to the college game. With Sayin quickly installing himself as the leading candidate for the starting position projected for the 2025 season, Noland found himself at the bottom of the depth chart among quarterbacks.
A freshman studying law at Ohio State, Noland was fifth on the quarterback pecking order, unable to play during any of the Buckeyes' twelve games this season. Missing out on valuable game experience, the talented quarterback felt his prospects remained bleak as he faced stiff competition from Will Howard, Devin Brown, and the impressive Sayin, plus the addition of another five-star recruit, Tavien St. Clair.
Noland's entry to the transfer portal marks the second time during the same period Ohio State quarterback ranks have been diminished, as backup quarterback Devin Brown also recently announced he was entering the portal. Although Brown intends to remain with the Buckeyes throughout their College Football Playoff run, the exits of Noland and Brown signify major changes looming within the Ohio State quarterback room.
Looking to the future, Noland's decision could be seen as strategic, considering he still maintains four years of eligibility. With his recruitment coming fresh off from high school—which saw interest from various programs including Alabama, Clemson, and Texas A&M—it is expected he will find numerous suitors once he finds his next collegiate destination.
The NCAA transfer portal, which allows players to explore opportunities at other schools, is open through December 28, 2024, following the end of the College Football Playoff series. Noland, without having played any snaps for the Buckeyes, is now back on the market, searching for the right fit where he can showcase his skills and contribute significantly on the field.
The expectations for Ohio State's immediate future include the likelihood of acquiring another quarterback from the transfer portal, with all the aforementioned departures paving the way for new additions. Ohio State is set to continue its esteemed legacy with new stars, but for Noland, the search for clarity and opportunity remains the next chapter of his football career.
