Transfer Portal: Ohio State DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste commits to Notre Dame Football

Notre Dame isn’t done with the transfer portal just yet. Former Ohio State Buckeyes DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste gave his commitment to the Irish on Friday — proving that the transfer portal is an unpredictable mistress.

Jean-Baptiste got a Thursday evening prediction to Notre Dame, and wrapped this thing up very quickly.

From JJB’s Ohio State profile page:

Ohio State Overview

• Javontae is in his fifth year with the program and has two seasons of eligibility

• He has graduated with his degree in human development and family sciences

• Has played in 32 games for the Buckeyes over the past three seasons, including 13 games in 2021, six of eight games in 2020 and all 14 games as a redshirt freshman in 2019

• Earned his first two collegiate starts in 2020: vs. Rutgers and vs. Alabama in the CFP championship game

• Has recorded 34 career tackles with 6.5 tackles-for-loss, including 4.0 quarterback sacks

• Has sacks against Maryland and Nebraska in 2021, Penn State in 2020 and vs. Indiana and Miami (Ohio) back-to-back in 2019

• Has a personal best of four tackles in 2019 vs. Northwestern

• Redshirted as a true freshman in 2018

Honors & Awards

2022: Graduated in May with his degree in human development and family sciences

More on Javontae

• Jean-Baptiste was a four-star prospect and top-10 rated prospect (No. 6) in the state of New Jersey as a senior

• Helped Bergan Catholic High School win the non-public Group IV state title as a senior

• Played for Nunzio Campanile, the tight ends coach at Rutgers

• First team all-New Jersey and NJ.com’s Defensive Player of the Year

• In the state championship game, had two sacks, two TFLs, two pass breakups and a forced fumble in a 44-7 win over St. Peter’s Prep

• Contributed two sacks against Mater Dei, the nation’s No. 1-ranked team

• Keyed a fourth-quarter come-from-behind win over rival Don Bosco Prep with a tackle for loss on a third-and-short late in the third quarter

• Two sacks and a forced fumble in a win over defending state champion Paramus Catholic

• Finished his senior season with 88 tackles, 14.5 TFL and 11.5 sacks

• Parents are Lisa Milhouse and Jerry Jean-Baptiste

That profile was written before his 5th year with Ohio State. In 2022, JJB played in 13 games and tallied 19 tackles, and 4.5 sacks.

Notre Dame was certainly in need of an EDGE player to add to 2023’s roster, and it’s really nice to see the Irish work the portal as best that they can.