Former Ohio State WR Transfers To Big Ten West Rival

Former Ohio State Buckeyes receiver Austin Kutscher has found a new home in the Big Ten.

According to reports, Kutscher is set to transfer to Iowa for the 2023 season. He will have one year of eligibility remaining with the Big Ten West program.

A preferred walk-on as a member of the 2018 recruiting cycle, Kutscher appeared in four games over his five seasons with the program. The 6-foot pass-catcher appeared in two games in 2019, one game in 2020, and three games in 2021, but did not record any stats.

According to On3 Sports, Kutscher will again join a program as a preferred walk-on graduate transfer. He is expected to fight for reps after the Hawkeyes were decimated at the position due to the transfer portal.

A native of Massillon, Ohio, Kutscher did not receive any offers from a major school coming out of Massillon High School. As a senior, he was one of the more productive receivers in the state, totaling 93 receptions for 1,349 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The Hawkeyes have worked the transfer portal in their favor this offseason under longtime coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa added former Michigan starting quarterback Cade McNamara and tight end Erick All following its regular-season finale loss to Nebraska in November.

Iowa also added quarterback Deacon Hill (Wisconsin), defensive lineman Daijon Parker (Saginaw Valley State), and offensive lineman Rusty Feth (Maryland). The Hawkeyes finished the 2022 season 8-5 thanks to a 21-0 win over Kentucky in the Music City Bowl.

The Buckeyes should be content at receiver despite Kutscher's departure. Marvin Harrison Jr., Julian Fleming, and Emeka Egbuka are all expected to return this season after breakout performances in 2022.

Harrison, the son of Hall of Fame receiver and Indianapolis Colts legend Marvin Harrison, led the Buckeyes with 77 catches for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. Egbuka, a native of Washington, tallied 74 catches for 1,156 yards and 10 touchdowns. Fleming, who eventually took over as the team's No. 3 target, finished with 34 receptions for 533 yards and six scores.

The Buckeyes will be without Jaxon Smith-Njigba following his decision to declare for the draft. One of the top receivers in the upcoming class, Smith-Njigba shined as C.J. Stroud's go-to target in 2021, totaling 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns.

The 2022 season was a lost one for Smith-Njigba. He injured the hamstring early in Ohio State's opener against Notre Dame and was limited in two more games against Toledo and Iowa. For the year, Smith-Njigba caught just five passes for 43 yards. He did not participate in the Buckeyes' 42-41 loss to No. 1 Georgia in the Peach Bowl on New Year's Eve.