Ohio State continues to restock its roster following a wave of 2025 NFL draft departures, and the Buckeyes have just added an important piece on special teams. Former Ball State kicker Jackson Courville has officially committed to Ohio State, giving head coach Ryan Day another reliable leg heading into the upcoming season.
Ball State Transfer Kicker Jackson Courville Commits to Ohio State After 2025 Draft Losses
Courville entered the transfer portal during the spring window, which opened April 16 and was open through the first weekend of May.
After a strong workout during his late‑April visit to Columbus, the Buckeyes wasted no time locking him in.
The commitment comes at a crucial time for Ohio State, as they navigate a post-draft transition period that saw several key contributors leave for the NFL.
BREAKING: Ball State kicker Jackson Courville has committed to Ohio State he has announced. pic.twitter.com/xr2LTgNmu6
— The Scarlet and Gray Podcast (@TheSG_Podcast) May 3, 2025
A native of Centerville, Ohio, Courville was part of Ball State’s 2023 recruiting class and quickly made his mark. As a true freshman, he connected on 15 of 21 field‑goal attempts, including a 48‑yarder, and made 24 of 25 extra points.
His debut campaign established him as one of the more promising young kickers in the MAC.
He followed that up with an even better sophomore season in 2024. Courville went 11 of 13 on field goals, including two successful kicks from 50-plus yards (longest: 52 yards). He also improved on extra points, converting 30 of 31 attempts.
Over two seasons, he went 26 of 34 on field goals and 54 of 56 on extra points.
In addition to his on‑field accuracy, Courville earned All‑MAC Academic honors in 2024, proving himself a standout both athletically and academically. Standing 5‑foot‑10 and weighing 180 pounds, Courville arrives in Columbus with two years of eligibility remaining, plus the option to redshirt if needed.
While the Buckeyes currently have a kicking option in Jayden Fielding, there’s speculation Courville could compete for the starting role during fall camp or redshirt in 2025 and become the primary kicker in 2026. Either way, the addition gives Ohio State much‑needed depth and flexibility at a position that often proves critical in tight games.
For Day and the Ohio State staff, landing Courville is a savvy pickup from the spring transfer portal—one that not only fills a potential special teams gap but also continues their push to rebuild a playoff‑caliber roster after a major NFL draft exodus.
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With a national title in their sights and an opening‑week showdown against Texas looming, the Buckeyes are making strategic moves to plug roster holes wherever needed. Adding a proven kicker like Courville could make all the difference when the pressure is on.
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