Palaie Gaoteote IV, Tyler Friday not returning to Ohio State for sixth year

COLUMBUS — Ohio State veteran linebacker Palaie Gaoteote IV and defensive end Tyler Friday are not returning for a sixth year, head coach Ryan Day confirmed Wednesday.

Because of the 2020 COVID-19-affected season, both Gaoteote and Friday had a final season of eligibility remaining.

Gaoteote spent two seasons with the Buckeyes after playing his first three years at USC. The former five-star Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nevada) product transferred after the 2020 season. He never made the on-field impact he had with the Trojans, however.

In his first two seasons at USC, Gaoteote piled up 96 total tackles and a pair of sacks. In the three years since, he has combined for just 27 total tackles and half a sack.

Seeing the field in 2023 would have been a tall task for Gaoteote, considering Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles runs a 4-2-5 system, and starting linebackers Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers are coming back.

Gaoteote finished his Buckeyes career with only 129 defensive snaps across 2021 and 2022, per Pro Football Focus. Injuries were a big reason why his production was limited at Ohio State.

The same could be said for Friday, who was sidelined for the 2021 season with a torn ACL. Friday battled back to become a captain for the 2022 campaign, but he played a career-low 72 snaps, per PFF. Friday was tucked away on the depth chart in a talented defensive end room, which was headlined by future NFLer Zach Harrison as well as J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer — both of whom are back for the 2023 season.

Friday wrapped his Ohio State career with 21 total tackles and three sacks. Of those three sacks, two came in 2019. Most notably, he sacked Trevor Lawrence in the Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff loss to Clemson.

While Gaoteote and Friday aren’t using their sixth year, wide receiver Xavier Johnson, interior offensive lineman Matthew Jones and safety Josh Proctor are taking that extra season.