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“‘We Had to Do It’: Ohio State Stuns Fans by Dropping Star Before Title Game!”
Ohio State is reported to part ways with two-star walk-on defensive end prospect Caden Davis, a TikTok influencer with 300K followers, just before the Notre Dame National Championship game
As Ohio State prepares for a National Championship showdown against Notre Dame on Jan. 20, the program announced the exit of Caden Davis, a sophomore walk-on defensive end better known for his TikTok fame. The decision was confirmed by OSU sports information director Jerry Emig on Wednesday night.
Davis is an Ohio native and former two-star recruit, joining the Buckeyes in 2022 after de-committing from the Army. Despite earning scholarships from programs like Bucknell, Georgetown, and Dayton, he chose to walk on at Ohio State because it was his dream school.
Breaking into the Buckeyes’ defensive end rotation was always going to be a hurdle of a task, with stars like JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer anchoring the line and incoming four-star recruits Zion Grady and Epi Sitanilei waiting to add even more depth next season. Davis faced slim chances of seeing game time.
Though he never logged a single snap for Ohio State, Davis’ passion for the program and his presence in the locker room were apparent. With no real on-field team contributions, his impact off the field was undeniable as a content creator with over 300,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram, and X.
Davis’ content gives fans insider views of life as a Buckeye. From gear hauls to behind-the-scenes antics during rivalry week, his relatable and comedic videos highlighted all of the perks and benefits of being a college athlete at a powerhouse program. Davis also became a leader in the NIL space, securing over 100 brand deals with major companies like McDonald’s, Netflix, Xbox, and Nike. Among his most popular partnerships was with Chipotle, which gave him a free meal every week for a year.
The timing of Davis’ dismissal raised eyebrows, coming less than a week before the team’s biggest game of the year. The Buckeyes are eight-point favorites heading into the championship matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Ohio State has not provided any public details about the dismissal. Davis’ football future remains uncertain, but his social media success suggests his story is far from over. Just one day before the news, Davis gave fans a look at Ohio State’s lacrosse facilities as fans wondered about the reasoning for his dismissal.
Davis was active in the post’s comment section but avoided any inquiries about his dismissal from the program. He indicated no hostility toward the program after he responded, “You know it,” to a fan who wrote, “Natty incoming” under the post.
Davis has already proven that he can thrive in the world of influencer marketing and brand partnerships. There’s still a possibility that he could attract additional programs and enter the transfer portal to finish his college career elsewhere.
