What to know about running back Chip Trayanum after transfer from Ohio State to Kentucky.
After Transfer From Ohio State, What To Know About Running…
Kentucky football head coach Mark Stoops talked to the media on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, about the Wildcats’ invitation to play Clemson in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Dec. 29, 2023, in Jacksonville. National champions in 2016 and 2018, Clemson was 8-4 this regular season. BY JOHN CLAY| UK ATHLETICS Kentucky football’s potential replacement for star running back Ray Davis is coming to Lexington from a national power
. Ohio State running back DeaMonte “Chip” Trayanum committed to UK on Tuesday after a weekend visit to Lexington. Trayanum entered the transfer portal Thursday after serving as a backup to Ohio State star TreVeyon Henderson this season. Here is what you need to know about Kentucky’s new running back. KENTUCKY WILL BE THE THIRD SCHOOL FOR CHIP TRAYANUM A former four-star recruit at Archbishop Hoban in Akron, Ohio, Trayanum initially elected to go across the country for college, signing with Arizona State.
In two years at Arizona State, Trayanum totaled 127 carries for 692 yards and 10 touchdowns in 13 games. Prior to the 2022 season, Trayanum transferred closer to home to play linebacker at Ohio State. The position switch did not last long though as Trayanum was back on offense before the end of his first season in Columbus. Serving as a backup to Henderson, Trayanum totaled 85 carries for 373 yards and three touchdowns this season
. Trayanum recorded a season-high 20 carries against Maryland while Henderson was sidelined by an injury, but he recorded no more than seven carries in any game after Henderson returned to the field in October. Henderson is considering entering the 2024 NFL draft. Had Trayanum stayed at Ohio State and Henderson entered the draft, Trayanum was expected to compete for the Buckeyes’ starting job next season. Trayanum has one season of eligibility remaining at Kentucky.
Kentucky football transfer running back commitment Chip Trayanum has averaged 5.1 yards per carry in four years at Arizona State and Ohio State. Alex Martin/Journal and Courier USA TODAY NETWORK CHIP TRAYANUM SCORED ONE OF THE BIGGEST TOUCHDOWNS FOR OHIO STATE THIS SEASON A loss to Michigan in the regular season finale eventually ended Ohio State’s playoff hopes, but they would not have lasted that long if not for Trayanum.
Henderson suffered an injury early in the Notre Dame game on what he later called a “cheap shot,” but he did return to the field later in the game. With Ohio State down four and three seconds remaining, coach Ryan Day sent Trayanum onto the field instead of Henderson for the goal-line carry. Trayanum scored on a 1-yard carry to give the Buckeyes what amounted to a 17-14 walk-off victory. “In moments like that, it may seem very fast, but in the moment, those plays seem super slow and you just know what you’ve got to do to get the job done,” Trayanum said after the game. “Thankfully, I had the wisdom to know to keep my knees up.
” THE ATHLETIC INCLUDED CHIP TRAYANUM ON ITS ANNUAL COLLEGE FOOTBALL FREAKS LIST Kentucky fans took note of Bruce Feldman’s annual preseason showcase of college football’s most unique athletes for its inclusion of Wildcats linebacker Trevin Wallace, but UK’s new running back made the list as well. Ranked No. 37 on the freaks list, Trayanum was showcased for his ability to play both linebacker and running back. “Trayanum is a big, strong, explosive dude,” Feldman wrote. “He bench pressed 415 and squatted 650 this offseason, but he also ran a 40 in the high 4.3s and had a max velocity of 22.2 mph.”
Listed by Ohio State at 5-foot-11, 233 pounds, Trayanum is known as a power back, but that speed offers hope for even more in a featured role. Given Kentucky’s struggles in short-yardage situations at times this season, the ability to gain difficult yards when the defense knows a run is coming could be a boost to the offense regardless of his top-end speed.
