Boilermakers Country

Big Ten Daily: Indiana Running Back Sampson James Enters Transfer Portal

Indiana running back Sampson James has entered the transfer portal, four-star tight end Theodor Ohrstrom from Sweden will announce college decision on Aug. 18, and Ohio State safety Jaylen Johnson will miss 2021 season with ACL injury. Here's the latest from around the Big Ten.

D.J. Fezler

Big Ten Daily: Indiana Running Back Sampson James Enters Transfer Portal
Big Ten Daily: Indiana Running Back Sampson James Enters Transfer Portal /

For the second time in a year, Indiana running back Sampson James has entered the transfer portal.

James, who decommitted from Ohio State in 2018 to sign with Indiana, was a standout four-star running back at Avon High School just west of Indianapolis.

During his two years at Indiana, there's been just one shining moment – he rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown to help beat Purdue in double-overtime in 2019 – and very little else. He took a back seat to Stevie Scott both seasons, and never really made the impact that was expected of him when he signed as the third-highest ranked recruit in school history.

James has entered the transfer portal before, in early March 2020 before spring practice started, but four days later he changed his mind and stayed with the Hoosiers. This time, it's unlikely that James will be returning to Indiana. He may look for a fresh start elsewhere, and since he's leaving before classes start, he will still have three years of eligibility remaining because of how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the season.

James has rushed for 371 yards on 113 carries during his career at Indiana. Outside of that Purdue game, he had just 253 yards on 95 carries, a meager 2.66 yards per carry.

James rushed for 1,782 yards as a junior at Avon, and another 1,043 during his senior year. He's 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, and all those tackles he broke in high school hadn't really translated to the college game.

For more from our Sports Illustrated Indiana website, HoosiersNow, CLICK HERE.

4-Star TE Recruit From Sweden to Announce College Decision 

Theodor Ohrstrom, a four-star tight end from RIG Academy in Sweden, is set to announce his college destination at 9:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 18. His top-four programs include Ohio State, Texas A&M and LSU. 

Ohrstrom and is considered the No. 14 tight end in the class of 2023, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. He is also considered the top prospect in Sweden and the 180th recruit overall. 

The 6-foot-6, 245-pound prospect has already garnered 12 total offered and took official visits to each of his final three programs. Other scholarship offers included Alabama, Arizona State, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Minnesota, Oklahoma and UCF. 

Here's what the 2023 recruit had to say about the Buckeyes: 

"Obviously it's one of the best programs in the country," Ohrstrom told 247Sports. "They have good developments and I’ve created a really good relationship with Coach (Kevin) Wilson too and Coach (Ryan) Day and I like the Columbus area, the area that they're in and their facilities are great I think."

Ohio State DB Jaylen Johnson to Miss 2021 Season 

When Ohio State takes the field this season, it will likely be without freshman defensive back Jaylen Johnson. According to reports, Johnson tore his ACL during practice and will miss the entire 2021 season. 

Johnson was a three-star safety from La Salle High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. While he wasn't guaranteed to see playing time outside of special teams for the Buckeyes this season, coaches noted his work ethic during the offseason. 

“[Linebackers coach Al] Washington told me one thing,” Johnson told Lettermen Row after committing early last year. “He said that I’m one of the hardest workers he’s ever seen. [Jeff] Hafley told me that too. I knew coming into that camp I was going to have to work hard, to show coaches I can run, jump and move my hips, to just play football.”

Ohio State opens its season on Sept. 2 against Minnesota. 

Recent Stories From Boilermakers Country

  • PURDUE DEFENSE EMBRACING AGGRESSIVENESS: Under co-defensive coordinator Brad Lambert, the Purdue defense is already making strides in fall camp. He's teaching aggressiveness at all levels, something the Boilermakers were void of a year ago. CLICK HERE 
  • OREGON STATE DEFENDER LIKELY OUT FOR MATCHUP WITH PURDUE: Oregon State defensive end Isaac Hodgins suffered a foot injury during the team's practice Sunday and underwent surgery. The Boilermakers are scheduled to open the season against the Beavers on Sept. 4 at Ross-Ade Stadium. CLICK HERE
  • MERSHAWN RICE READY TO CONTRIBUTE: Purdue wide receiver Mershawn Rice has yet to make his first college reception. He's overcome injuries during his first two seasons and is now prepared to contribute on offense in 2021. CLICK HERE
  • PURDUE NOT INCLUDED IN 247SPORTS BOWL PROJECTIONS: The Purdue football program hasn't made a bowl appearance since 2018. With a difficult season ahead in the upcoming season, 247Sports projects the Boilermakers not to make the postseason. CLICK HERE
  • SEMISI FAKASIIEIKI INJURED IN PRACTICE: Semisi Fakasiieiki was carted off the field Monday during Purdue football fall camp. The redshirt fifth-year senior has played appeared in 28 games for the program during his college career. CLICK HERE
  • AUSTIN BURTON'S IMPROVEMENT ARE 'NIGHT AND DAY': Austin Burton is in a position to compete for the title of starting quarterback for Purdue football. Having a full year to master the playbook has made all the difference for the UCLA transfer. CLICK HERE
  • AIDAN O'CONNELL MAXIMIZING STRENGTHS: Fifth-year senior Aidan O'Connell looks to be named the starting quarterback of the Purdue football team for the second straight season. While he won't amaze everyone with his athleticism, he's constantly working on what he does best. CLICK HERE

Become Part of the Boilermakers Country Community!

Published
D.J. Fezler
D.J. FEZLER

D.J. Fezler is a staff writer for BoilermakersCountry.com. Hailing from The Region, he is from Cedar Lake in Northwest Indiana and has spent the last two years covering Purdue football and basketball. 

Home/Football