Ohio State vs. Michigan Syndication: USA TODAY

It looks like the heated rivalry between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines has a defector as a Michigan player has decided to leave the program and finish his career at Ohio State, instead.

According to a report from Eleven Warriors, Michigan Wolverines walk-on linebacker Joey Velazquez has decided to finish his career at Ohio State after spending his first five seasons with the Wolverines.

“Michigan graduate Joey Velazquez – a Columbus native and DeSales High School graduate – has transferred to Ohio State, a program spokesperson confirmed to Eleven Warriors. A three-star recruit in the 2019 class, Velazquez will be a walk-on for the Buckeyes in 2024,” Ohio State beat writer Dan Hope reported for Eleven Warriors on Monday morning.

Velazquez did not appear in a game for the Wolverines during their national championship run during the 2023 college football season, but he did appear in 20 games throughout his career with Michigan, contributing mostly on special teams.

Obviously, this isn’t a massive splash of a transfer as Velazquez is just a walk-on and is not expected to contend for a starting role for the Buckeyes, but it’s still very interesting for a player to leave Michigan to join Ohio State given the rivalry.

[Eleven Warriors]