In a significant move for both the player and the program, former Baylor kicker Connor Hawkins has officially pledged his commitment to Ohio State. This announcement, made on Wednesday, marks Hawkins as the sole kicker on the Buckeyes’ roster, positioning him as the likely candidate for kickoffs, field goals, and extra point attempts in the upcoming 2026 season.
Let’s get excited! @OhioStateFB (https://twitter.com/OhioStateFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) https://t.co/piHOXAZEYG
— Connor Hawkins (@connorhawk1ns) January 15, 2026 (https://twitter.com/connorhawk1ns/status/2011591374509072837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
During his redshirt freshman year in 2025, Hawkins showcased impressive skill by successfully converting 18 out of 22 field goal attempts, achieving an 81.8% success rate. Notably, he excelled within 40 yards, making all ten attempts from that distance. His performance also included 5 successful kicks out of 8 from 40 to 49 yards and 3 out of 4 attempts from 50 yards or more, with his longest kick reaching an impressive 54 yards.
The Hawkins Overview
- Year: Redshirt Sophomore
- Height/Weight: 6-2 / 199 lbs
- Position: Kicker
- Previous Institution: Baylor (2024-25)
- 2025 Statistics: 18-22 FG (4-4 from 20-29 yards, 6-6 from 30-39 yards, 5-8 from 40-49 yards, and 3-4 from 50+ yards; longest kick of 54 yards)
With the graduation of Jayden Fielding and Jackson Courville's transfer to Tulane (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2026/01/161122/former-ohio-state-kicker-jackson-courville-transferring-to-tulane), Hawkins now stands as Ohio State’s only kicker on the roster. However, it is anticipated that the Buckeyes will seek to introduce competition for Hawkins, either through the transfer portal or by recruiting from high schools.
Prior to Hawkins entering the transfer portal on Wednesday, Ohio State had not been publicly associated with any other transfer kickers. Nevertheless, they have extended an offer to one of the top remaining kicking prospects in the 2026 class: Jacobo Eccheveria, who remarkably made 12 out of 13 field goal attempts, with a long of 41 yards during his senior year at Upper St. Clair (Pittsburgh) in 2025.
Hawkins becomes the twelfth transfer that Ohio State has secured this offseason. The recruitment saga began with Mason Williams, a former tight end from Ohio (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2026/01/160918/former-ohio-tight-end-mason-williams-transferring-to-ohio-state), and has been followed by notable additions such as James Smith, a defensive tackle from Alabama (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2026/01/161028/former-alabama-defensive-tackle-james-smith-the-no-1-defensive-lineman-in-the-transfer-portal-commits-to), and Earl Little Jr., a defensive back previously from Florida State (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2026/01/161078/former-florida-state-safety-earl-little-jr-transferring-to-ohio-state), among others.
2026 Ohio State Transfer Portal Additions
CLASS | POSITION | NAME | STAR RATING | FORMER SCHOOLS
JR (RS) | TE | MASON WILLIAMS (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2026/01/160918/former-ohio-tight-end-mason-williams-transferring-to-ohio-state) | ★★★ (https://247sports.com/player/mason-williams-46131182/) | OHIO
SR (RS) | LS | DALTON RIGGS (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2026/01/160931/former-ucf-byu-long-snapper-dalton-riggs-transferring-to-ohio-state) | N/A | UCF, BYU
JR (RS) | DT | JOHN WALKER (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2026/01/160913/former-ucf-defensive-tackle-john-walker-transferring-to-ohio-state) | ★★★★ (https://247sports.com/player/john-walker-46098674/) | UCF
SR | WR | DEVIN MCCUIN (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2026/01/160994/former-utsa-wide-receiver-devin-mccuin-transfers-to-ohio-state) | ★★★ (https://247sports.com/player/devin-mccuin-46117826/) | UTSA
SR | LB | CHRISTIAN ALLIEGRO (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2026/01/160971/former-wisconsin-linebacker-christian-alliegro-commits-to-ohio-state) | ★★★ (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2026/01/160971/former-wisconsin-linebacker-christian-alliegro-commits-to-ohio-state) | WISCONSIN
SR (RS) | S | EARL LITTLE JR. (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2026/01/161078/former-florida-state-safety-earl-little-jr-transferring-to-ohio-state) | ★★★★ (https://247sports.com/player/earl-little-jr-46082962/) | FLORIDA STATE
SR (RS) | S | TERRY MOORE (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2026/01/161116/former-duke-safety-terry-moore-transferring-to-ohio-state#comments) | ★★★ (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2026/01/161116/former-duke-safety-terry-moore-transferring-to-ohio-state#comments) | DUKE
SR (RS) | TE | HUNTER WELCING (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2026/01/161061/former-northwestern-tight-end-hunter-welcing-commits-to-ohio-state) | ★★★ (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2026/01/161061/former-northwestern-tight-end-hunter-welcing-commits-to-ohio-state) | NORTHWESTERN
SR (RS) | QB | JUSTYN MARTIN (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2026/01/161074/former-maryland-and-ucla-quarterback-justyn-martin-transferring-to-ohio-state) | ★★★★ (https://247sports.com/player/justyn-martin-46096380/) | MARYLAND, UCLA
SR | DT | JAMES SMITH (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2026/01/161028/former-alabama-defensive-tackle-james-smith-the-no-1-defensive-lineman-in-the-transfer-portal-commits-to) | ★★★★★ (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2026/01/161028/former-alabama-defensive-tackle-james-smith-the-no-1-defensive-lineman-in-the-transfer-portal-commits-to) | ALABAMA
SR (RS) | DE | QUA RUSSAW (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2026/01/161022/former-alabama-edge-rusher-qua-russaw-transfers-to-ohio-state) | ★★★★ (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2026/01/161022/former-alabama-edge-rusher-qua-russaw-transfers-to-ohio-state) | ALABAMA
SO (RS) | K | CONNOR HAWKINS (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2026/01/161154/former-baylor-kicker-connor-hawkins-commits-to-ohio-state) | ★★★ (https://247sports.com/player/connor-hawkins-46140723/high-school-294593/) | BAYLOR
As the Buckeyes gear up for the next season, how do you feel about their latest recruit, Connor Hawkins? Will he rise to the occasion, or do you think Ohio State needs to explore other options? Let us know your thoughts!
