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After losing Jack Sawyer to the Pittsburgh Steelers and J.T. Tuimoloau to the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL Draft, finding another edge rusher in the transfer portal became a priority for the Ohio State defense.
Enter Beau Atkinson from North Carolina.
The former Tar Heel standout defensive end was recruited by top programs like Georgia and South Carolina, the latter being the runner ups in his original recruitment. However, Atkinson decided to take his immense talent to Columbus.
“I think just the level of play that everybody’s here. Coach J, obviously one of the best D-line coaches of all-time,” Atkinson told Eleven Warriors last month. “So just trying to be developed as best as I can possibly be.”
He said he made the jump from North Carolina to Ohio State to compete at the highest possible collegiate level.
“I think it was just time for me to go,” Atkinson said. “I think I just wanted to play at the highest level that I could.”
He was very productive last year in Chapel Hill, recording 35 tackles with 12 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks for North Carolina. However, he admits he still has more to learn now at Ohio State under Matt Patricia and Larry Johnson.
“I’d probably say just bending off the edge and use of my hands. I think I can get a lot better using my hands,” Atkinson said. “I think a lot of times, my rushes, I would win because of just my effort. But I think Coach (Johnson) is so good with the technical skills of everything that just improving that side of my game even more, I’m excited for that.”
Even with losing JTT and Sawyer, the Buckeyes have solid depth at the EDGE position. Kenyatta Jackson and Beau Atkinson will likely be the starters, but Caden Curry also has a good chance to start, with C.J. Hicks, Logan George and Zion Grady all expecting to see some time in the rotation.
Atkinson is someone that has shown a strong capability to get to the quarterback and create sacks along with havoc in the backfield. This is something the Buckeyes have needed more of over the past few years, and between the trio of Jackson, Curry and Atkinson, they should be able to make life tough on opposing quarterbacks.
