LATEST NEWS: Joey Velazquez, a former walk-on linebacker at Michigan, moves to Ohio State

A former Michigan Wolverine is currently a Buckeye at Ohio State.

A program representative verified to Eleven Warriors that Joey Velazquez, a graduate of Michigan and a resident of Columbus who graduated from DeSales High School, has transferred to Ohio State. Velazquez, a three-star prospect in the 2019 class, will join the Buckeyes as a walk-on in 2024.

The six-foot-two, 222-pound linebacker played for the Wolverines for five seasons, appearing in sixteen games. He made one appearance in 2019 as a freshman, ten in 2021 as a redshirt sophomore, and five in 2022 as a redshirt junior. In the 2020 and 2023 seasons, he saw no action. Velazquez recorded eight tackles and one fumble recovery during his time at Michigan.

Velazquez attended Michigan to play baseball as well. As an outfielder, he was a four-year letterwinner for the Wolverines who advanced to two NCAA Regionals in 2021 and 2022. Velazquez had 68 starts in 100 games, hitting.255 with nine home runs, two triples, 17 doubles, and 51 RBIs. A representative for Ohio State affirmed that Velazquez will play football for the Buckeyes exclusively.

James Laurinaitis, Ohio State’s graduate assistant, shared a picture of the coaches and players on social media on Sunday while they watched Super Bowl LVIII together. In the back of the picture, Velazquez is visible sporting a black Nike jacket.