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Columbus, OH — One of the most stunning developments of the postseason has just erupted across the college football world.

A major Ohio State Buckeyes star is officially set to leave the program and join LSU under newly hired head coach Lane Kiffin — and the move is happening faster than anyone expected.

According to multiple internal sources, the transfer is already in motion, and the player has informed the Ohio State staff that he will not be participating in the playoffs, choosing instead to begin the LSU transition immediately.

The decision has detonated shockwaves in both Columbus and Baton Rouge.

🧨 Who Is the Player?

Sources close to the Buckeyes confirm the player is CB Jermaine Mathews Jr. — one of Ohio State’s most electric young defensive talents, a rising star with NFL-level athleticism and rare instincts for his age.

Mathews was widely viewed as a future lockdown corner and cornerstone of the Buckeyes’ secondary. His leap to LSU is nothing short of a thunderbolt.

This is the type of player teams don’t just replace.

This is the type of player who changes entire defensive structures.

And now, he’s gone.

⚡ The Transfer Happened at Lightning Speed

According to insiders, the moment LSU finalized its agreement with Lane Kiffin, the new staff identified Mathews as one of the program’s must-have additions. Kiffin moved quickly — aggressively — and the conversation escalated within hours, not days.

Ohio State barely had time to respond.

One staff member described it as:

• “The quickest flip we’ve ever seen.”

• “A direct hit to our depth chart.”

• “Pure Kiffin chaos.”

The Buckeyes were preparing for the postseason.
LSU was preparing for a new era.

And in the middle, a star cornerback made a stunning choice.

🐅 Why LSU? Why Now?

Lane Kiffin’s arrival at LSU has already triggered a surge of interest from top talent across the country — but landing an Ohio State star this quickly signals something much bigger:

✔ A guaranteed immediate role

✔ A rebuilt LSU defense centered on speed and aggression

✔ Major NIL opportunities

✔ Personal connection to Kiffin’s vision

✔ A system tailored to showcase elite cornerbacks

According to LSU insiders, Mathews was told he would be a centerpiece — not just a contributor — of Kiffin’s new defensive blueprint.

And that was enough.

🔥 Ohio State Fans Are Furious — “You do NOT leave before the playoffs.”

This decision is already causing uproar across Ohio State message boards and social platforms.

Fans are shocked and angry:

• “How is he leaving now?”

• “Nobody walks away with a playoff run ahead.”

• “This is betrayal — plain and simple.”

• “LSU tampered. I’m convinced.”

The timing — right before the postseason — is what cuts the deepest.

This isn’t a standard end-of-season portal entry.

This is a mid-storm exit that affects preparation, depth, and defensive strategy.

Buckeye Nation is not taking it lightly.

🐅 Meanwhile at LSU: Celebration and Shock

While Ohio State fans seethe, LSU fans are ecstatic — and stunned.

This isn’t just a good addition. It’s a program-changing steal.

On LSU message boards:

• “Kiffin is playing chess.”

• “He stole a future first-rounder.”

• “Ohio State must be losing their minds right now.”

• “This is the biggest defensive pickup since Tyrann Mathieu.”

The Lane Kiffin era is only hours old, and he’s already shaking the conference.

⚠️ What This Means Going Forward

For Ohio State:

A critical defensive loss just before a playoff run.
Questions about retention and NIL competitiveness.

A potential domino effect in the secondary.

For LSU:

An early sign that Kiffin’s recruitment power is real.
Momentum that will only grow in the coming weeks.

A defensive cornerstone locked in on Day 1.

For the Big Ten and SEC:

A seismic shift — and possibly the first of many battles between two powerhouse programs.