Ohio State ended up in that scenario due to some good luck, but odds were good that something eventually would give. Freshman quarter Air Noland, whose real name is Prentiss, has entered the transfer portal Monday, and will have four years of eligibility remaining.

Noland had signed with Ohio State a year ago, and then after National Signing Day, the Buckeyes added Julian Sayin of Carlsbad (Calif.) High, who had originally picked Alabama. Sayin made the move to Ohio State after Alabama coach Nick Saban retired, and that created the drama of can the Buckeyes keep Noland and Sayin happy.

The 6-foot-2, 192-pound Noland finished as a five-star prospect for Rivals.com, and was No. 31 overall, No. 5 overall in Georgia and the No. 3 pro-style quarterback in the country. The Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes High product kept steadily rising up the rankings board.

Noland picked Ohio State on April 8, 2023, one week after the Buckeyes offered. Alabama, Miami, Clemson, Arkansas, Oregon and Texas A&M were the other top contenders for him.

Noland threw for 2,140 yards and 22 touchdowns his senior year at Langston Hughes High.