Buckle up, Buckeyes fans! Ohio State has finally addressed a key position, and it's one that can often make or break a game: the kicker. Connor Hawkins, formerly of Baylor, has committed to the Buckeyes, bringing his talents to Columbus. He's currently the only kicker on the roster, setting him up to handle all kicking duties in the upcoming 2026 season.
But before we get too far ahead, let's dive into Hawkins' impressive stats. In his redshirt freshman year (2025), he showcased remarkable accuracy, making 18 out of 22 field goals, translating to an impressive 81.8% success rate. What's even more impressive? He was perfect from inside 40 yards, going 10 for 10. He also demonstrated his range, going 5 for 8 from 40 to 49 yards and even nailing 3 of 4 attempts from 50 yards or longer, with his longest conversion reaching 54 yards.
Here's a quick look at the key details of Connor Hawkins' profile:
- Year: Redshirt Sophomore
- Size: 6-2 / 199
- Position: Kicker
- Previous School: Baylor (2024-2025)
- 2025 Stats: 18-22 FG (4-4 from 20-29, 6-6 from 30-39, 5-8 from 40-49 and 3-4 from 50+; long of 54 yards)
With Jayden Fielding graduating and Jackson Courville transferring to Tulane, Hawkins steps into a critical role. However, the Buckeyes are expected to bring in more competition during the offseason, either through the transfer portal or by recruiting from high schools. This healthy competition could push Hawkins to perform even better.
Before Hawkins' commitment, Ohio State hadn't publicly shown interest in any other transfer kickers. But they have offered a scholarship to Jacobo Eccheveria, one of the top remaining kickers in the 2026 class. Eccheveria made 12 of 13 field goals with a long of 41 yards during his senior year at Upper St. Clair (Pittsburgh) in 2025.
Hawkins is the 12th transfer player to join Ohio State this offseason. The Buckeyes have been busy, adding talent to bolster their roster. The transfer class began with former Ohio tight end Mason Williams and has continued with players like former Alabama defensive tackle James Smith and former Florida State defensive back Earl Little Jr.
Here's a summary of the 2026 Ohio State Transfer Portal Additions:
| CLASS | POS | NAME | STAR RATING | FORMER SCHOOLS |
| :------ | :---- | :--------------- | :---------- | :-------------- |
| JR (RS) | TE | MASON WILLIAMS | ★★★ | OHIO |
| SR (RS) | LS | DALTON RIGGS | N/A | UCF, BYU |
| JR (RS) | DT | JOHN WALKER | ★★★★ | UCF |
| SR | WR | DEVIN MCCUIN | ★★★ | UTSA |
| SR | LB | CHRISTIAN ALLIEGRO | ★★★ | WISCONSIN |
| SR (RS) | S | EARL LITTLE JR. | ★★★★ | FLORIDA STATE |
| SR (RS) | S | TERRY MOORE | ★★★ | DUKE |
| SR (RS) | TE | HUNTER WELCING | ★★★ | NORTHWESTERN |
| SR (RS) | QB | JUSTYN MARTIN | ★★★★ | MARYLAND, UCLA |
| SR | DT | JAMES SMITH | ★★★★★ | ALABAMA |
| JR (RS) | DE | QUA RUSSAW | ★★★★ | ALABAMA |
| SO (RS) | K | CONNOR HAWKINS | ★★★ | BAYLOR |
What do you think of this addition to the Buckeyes? Do you think Hawkins will live up to the hype? Let us know in the comments!
