The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines have without doubt one of the fiercest rivalries in all of sports. But in a pretty shocking twist, one player from the Michigan side of the rivalry is defecting as he is transferring to Ohio State to finish his college football career.
According to a report from Eleven Warriors, walk-on linebacker Joey Velazquez has decided to transfer away from the Michigan Wolverines and join the Ohio State Buckeyes for his final season of eligibility. After spending five seasons in Michigan, Velazquez will now be on the other side of the rivalry for his last season.
Obviously, it’s not often you see a player switch sides of the rivalry like this, and it led to a lot of reactions on social media as a result.
Michigan two-sport athlete Joey Velazquez has transferred to Ohio State.
Velazquez was originally an OSU baseball commit but ended up playing both sports at Michigan.
The Lewis Center, Ohio native has 8 career tackles and a .255 career batting average! pic.twitter.com/PHRv6jZ1ZT
— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) February 12, 2024
Day needed a spy lol https://t.co/d6Wgx8lvh6
— Season is FINALLY over (@httrhao) February 12, 2024
This is a crime https://t.co/M5VWCyG4HF
— Walk-On Redshirts (@walkonredshirts) February 12, 2024
There has never been an exodus like this before. https://t.co/PLiR547sN3
— Sully 🌐🇺🇸 (@babysully) February 12, 2024
Welcome home Joey V! https://t.co/3BxZebaTwA
— Josh (@joshlarsenn) February 12, 2024
I just don't know how you do that https://t.co/TNlHB2Jisa
— IAmJeanJacquesTaylor (@JJTJournalist) February 12, 2024
Throughout his five seasons at Michigan, Joey Velazquen played 16 games across with the Wolverines, primarily appearing for Michigan on special teams.
It’s worth noting that Velazquez actually grew up in central Ohio and was once an Ohio State baseball commit before deciding to attend Michigan where he was a two-sport athlete. However, he will only play football and will no longer play baseball after transferring to Ohio State.
