Ohio State picked up a transfer piece across The Game rivalry lines via a former Michigan linebacker.

According to Joey Kaufman with The Columbus Dispatch, the Buckeyes have added former Wolverine linebacker Joey Velazquez. Originally a 3-star prospect out of Ohio in the 2019 recruiting class, Velazquez is walking on with the Buckeyes.

Velazquez was a 3-time letterman at Michigan but did not see game action during the 2023 season. His best season came during 2022 when he appeared in 11 games on special teams at 5 games at linebacker with 6 tackles.

Velazquez was rated as a 3-star recruit by the 247 Sports Composite coming out of St. Francis De Sales in Columbus during the 2019 recruiting class. He originally committed to the Buckeyes as a baseball prospect but ultimately signed with Michigan in the summer of 2019.

While at Michigan, Velazquez was also a 4-year letter-winner for Michigan baseball as a left-handed outfielder. Michigan won the B1G Tournament in 2022 and advanced to two NCAA Regionals with Velazquez on the roster (2021-22). He is a career .255 hitter with 9 career home runs and 17 doubles in 313 plate appearances.