An Ohio State football player and social media star has been dismissed from the program ahead of the national championship game.
Caden Davis, a defensive lineman who walked onto the Buckeyes roster in 2022, is no longer a member of the team, according to a report from The Lantern, Ohio State’s student newspaper. Davis, a Mason, Ohio native, has accrued more than 276,000 followers on TikTok and 106,000 followers on Instagram during his time with the program. The content he posted included regular looks inside the life of an Ohio State football player.
While no reason for Davis’ dismissal has been provided yet, The Lantern did make note of a recent social media controversy involving the 6-foot-4, 235-pound redshirt sophomore.
In a now-deleted Instagram reel, Davis shared behind-the-scenes footage of the Buckeyes’ trip to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl against Texas. However, observers caught on that the clips actually seemed to be from Ohio State’s Cotton Bowl appearance in January 2024, meaning Davis was attempting to create the illusion that he was with the team for the College Football Playoff semifinal when he actually wasn’t.
“That led offensive lineman George Fitzpatrick, currently in the transfer portal, to comment ‘You don’t play here,'” on the post, said The Lantern.
Caden Davis/Instagram.
In an Instagram post this afternoon, Davis confirmed he was no longer with the team.
“Being a buckeye has always been a dream come true of mine since being a kid. I am so very appreciative to the coaches, staff, and players for welcoming me into the team,” he said in the post. “I truly cannot thank them enough for allowing me to live my dream for the last 2 years and mentoring me the way they have. With changes in the NCAA and personal career reasons I will not be a PWO at the OSU. I appreciate the support of everyone and your help to respect my privacy about the decision made. Thank you, Go Bucks.”
Considering he didn’t play, Davis’ absence will not affect the Buckeyes much on the field against Notre Dame Monday night. Someone else is going to have to document the team’s trip to Atlanta on social media though.
Ohio State and Notre Dame will meet for in the College Football Playoff National Championship at 7:30 p.m. ET Monday on ESPN.
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