The Iowa Hawkeyes‘ primary offensive tackle target in the transfer portal is headed to another Big Ten program instead.
The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman broke the news that former Rice offensive tackle Ethan Onianwa had committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes on Tuesday morning.
Onianwa took a visit to Iowa after entering the transfer portal on Dec. 6. In Onianwa’s first season playing left tackle, the 6-foot-6, 345 pound offensive tackle allowed just one sack in 294 pass-blocking snaps and only two quarterback hurries during the 2024 campaign.
Onianwa also visited Florida State and Texas A&M before committing to the Buckeyes.
SOURCE: Rice’s Ethan Onianwa, one of the nation’s top offensive tackle prospects, has committed to Ohio State. The 6-foot-6, 345-pounder chose OSU after also taking visits to Iowa, Texas A&M and FSU. https://t.co/AQ3fLN6q2Hhttps://t.co/AQ3fLN6q2H
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 24, 2024
Iowa will be replacing longtime starting left tackle Mason Richman following the Hawkeyes’ bowl date versus Missouri. Richman started all 12 games for Iowa at left tackle this season and has started 51 games over the last four seasons.
The Hawkeyes are expected to return Gennings Dunker who started 10 games in 2024 at right tackle. Dunker was a second-team All-Big Ten choice by the league’s coaches and the 6-foot-5, 316 pound tackle has started 23 games for Iowa over the past two seasons.
Trevor Lauck could be an in-house name to watch for the Hawkeyes at tackle in 2025. The 6-foot-5, 302 pound redshirt freshman was a blue-chip signee for Iowa in the 2023 class according to Rivals.
Iowa has picked up transfer portal commitments from former Auburn quarterback Hank Brown and from former Central Michigan defensive tackle Jordan Pace.
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