NCAA Basketball: 5 players from Ohio State that could be poached from transfer portal

5. FR Devin Royal 

2023-24 season stats: 3.2 ppg and 1.9 rpg

Royal is a 6’6 combo forward from Pickerington, Ohio who was a four-star prospect in the 2023 class, ranked in the top 60 overall per 247sports. He was Mr. Basketball in the state of Ohio and picked the local Buckeyes over the likes of Alabama and Michigan State.

Royal has played in just about every game this season off the bench but his minutes have been inconsistent, with just 8 of 24 going for at least double figures. So it affects his overall production, with just one double-digit scoring game (11 points in 12 minutes against Central Michigan).

He’s been efficient, making 51% of his total shots. Royal mainly operates inside the basket, taking just nine three-pointers on the season (made 2 of them). He’s a good face-up player who has been getting more minutes, so we should see more of them.

Royal has the recruiting pedigree to have interest if he were to hit the portal. But it’s hard to see Alabama and Michigan State taking him on, based on what they both have coming in the 2024 recruiting classes. At the right spot, he could be a breakout candidate to watch in 2025.