Carlos Locklyn was formally named the new running backs coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday night. His two-year contract was disclosed. Locklyn was the running backs coach for the Ducks at Oregon before coming to Ohio State.
What does this signify, then, for recruiting Ohio State running backs? Four of the best running backs in the nation, who have long had scholarship offers from the Buckeyes, have shared their opinions and responses with Bucknuts.
Zed Key has chosen to make use of his fifth year of eligibility as a Super Senior. However, he has made the decision to use the transfer portal and will not be playing for Ohio State that season.
Born in Bay Shore, New York, the 6-8 Key played in 121 games over four seasons with the Buckeyes, including 49 starts. Over his playing career, he averaged 5.0 rebounds and 7.4 points per game.
Key can want to move to a school on the East Coast that is nearer to his hometown. He follows guards Bowen Hardman, Roddy Gayle Jr., and Scotty Middleton as the fourth member of OSU’s 2023–24 squad to access the transfer site. Former Buckeye guard Meechie is the only transfer that OSU has approved thus far.
Former OSU head coach Chris Holtmann and his staff spotted Key at the 2019 NBPA Top 100 camp and offered him a scholarship. He was somewhat a diamond-in-the-rough recruit as an undersized center. He was ranked as the nation’s No. 175 prospect in the 2020 class, according to 247Sports.com.
Key came in and was immediately a backup to Kyle Young in the post. He played in 31 games and averaged 11.7 minutes, 5.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
As a sophomore in 2021-22, Key started 23 of the 29 games he played. He averaged 7.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Perhaps the highlight of his career was on Nov. 30, 2021, as Key had 20 points in OSU’s 71-66 upset win over No. 1 Duke at Value City Arena.
