Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow made headlines recently by returning to his former stomping grounds at Ohio State University for a workout session. The video, which quickly went viral across social media platforms, shows the NFL star in the Buckeyes’ athletic facility, sparking immediate reactions from fans and analysts alike.
Burrow’s appearance at Ohio State carries special significance given his unique career trajectory. Before becoming an NFL franchise quarterback and collegiate legend at LSU, Burrow spent three years with the Buckeyes program, making this return a noteworthy full-circle moment that resonated deeply with football fans.
A Homecoming Under Scrutiny
For Ohio State faithful, Burrow’s workout video represented a bittersweet glimpse of what might have been. The Ohio native transferred from the Buckeyes to LSU in 2018 after losing the quarterback competition to Dwayne Haskins.
His subsequent meteoric rise at LSU, culminating in a historic Heisman Trophy season and national championship, has long left Ohio State fans wondering about the program’s “one that got away.”
Many platforms showcase a popular video featuring Burrow executing regular quarterback drills. Although fans noticed Burrow’s surgically repaired right wrist right away, they spent time studying whether his movements showed lasting consequences after his premature 2023 NFL season exit.
Joe Burrow putting in work at Ohio State…
Guess he needed a reminder of what a real football program looks like pic.twitter.com/gfqpA44KEK
— Ohio Divided (@BuckeyeNatty) March 7, 2025
Many NFL observers noted that Burrow’s wrist still looks to bother him during certain movements. The quarterback was filmed making several throws during the session, with fans meticulously analyzing his form and release for indications of his recovery progress ahead of the 2025 NFL free agency period.
Bengals supporters, particularly concerned about their star quarterback’s health status, flooded comment sections with both optimism and concern.
“He’s definitely favoring that wrist,” one fan commented while others insisted, “He’s looking better than expected this early in the offseason.”
Stirring the Transfer Portal Pot
Burrow’s return to Columbus inadvertently reignited discussions about his place in college football transfer history. As one of the most successful transfer stories ever, his journey from Ohio State backup to LSU legend continues to serve as a powerful case study in the ongoing debate about player movement in collegiate athletics.
The timing of Burrow’s Ohio State appearance coincides with the current transfer portal window, leading many college football commentators to reference his success story when discussing current transfer candidates.
Fan reactions included numerous jokes and speculations about Burrow potentially recruiting for LSU while on Ohio State’s campus.
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Social media burst with humorous takes on the situation, with fans creating memes suggesting Ohio State coaches might try to convince Burrow he still had remaining eligibility.
“Maybe they’re hoping he forgot he already graduated,” quipped one user on X.
Beyond the jokes, Burrow’s presence at his former school demonstrates the complexities of modern college athlete journeys. Despite transferring from the program, Burrow has maintained positive relationships with the Ohio State community, exemplifying how player movement between programs doesn’t necessarily create lasting animosity.
This reality stands in stark contrast to the heated rivalries that transfers sometimes generate, particularly in high-profile cases involving conference competitors.
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