After a brief but promising stint at Ohio State, defensive lineman Dominic Kirks is headed to Northwestern, staying in the Big Ten but looking for a fresh start.
Kirks entered the transfer portal the day after the Buckeyes’ College Football Playoff quarterfinal loss to Miami on New Year’s Eve. Now, he becomes the seventh former Ohio State player to transfer within the conference this cycle - joining a wave of talent spreading across the Big Ten, including names like Aaron Scott Jr. (Oregon), Bryce West (Wisconsin), and James Peoples (Penn State).
Kirks’ football journey has already seen a few twists. A standout at Riverside High School in Painesville, Ohio, he was a late but important addition to Ohio State’s 2024 recruiting class.
Originally committed to Washington, Kirks reopened his recruitment when Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer left for Alabama. That opened the door for Ryan Day and defensive line coach Larry Johnson to bring him back home - and they did just that.
A four-star prospect and the No. 32 defensive lineman in his class per 247Sports, Kirks chose the Buckeyes over a number of national programs.
At 6-foot-4 and 267 pounds, Kirks brought versatility to the table from day one. He had the frame and athleticism to play on the edge, but also the potential to grow into an interior lineman role. His high school numbers backed up the hype - 86 tackles, 11 sacks, and 17 tackles for loss during his senior season earned him a spot among the top 150 players in the country.
Once he arrived in Columbus, Kirks began the developmental track many young linemen face at a powerhouse like Ohio State. He redshirted his first year in 2024, appearing in just three games but using that time to build strength and adjust to the speed of the college game. In April 2025, he shed his black stripe - a symbolic moment at Ohio State that signals a player’s full integration into the team.
The 2025 season saw Kirks again in a limited role, as the Buckeyes leaned on a deep, veteran defensive front. He played in three games, logging 17 defensive snaps and recording his first career tackles.
While he was a steady presence on the practice field, the path to consistent playing time remained steep. With a crowded depth chart ahead of him heading into 2026, Kirks made the decision to seek a new opportunity.
Now at Northwestern, Kirks enters a program in transition but one that could offer a clearer runway to playing time. He brings three seasons of eligibility with him - plenty of time to carve out a role and make an impact in Evanston.
And he won’t have to wait long to face his former team. The Wildcats are set to visit Columbus in 2026, giving Kirks a chance to return to Ohio Stadium - this time in purple and white.
The official date for that matchup will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
For Kirks, the move to Northwestern represents more than just a change of scenery - it’s a second chance to make his mark in the Big Ten.