Redshirt Freshman Safety Jayme Thompson to Transfer from Ohio State

Just days after playing in the Ohio State spring game, defensive back Jayme Thompson has been granted his release from Ohio State and will transfer to another university.

Justin Rowland of Rivals.com reported the news Wednesday, noting that Thompson would be in attendance for Kentucky's spring game next weekend:

Thompson was a 4-star prospect in the class of 2013, ranking as the No. 219 overall player, No. 12 safety and No. 15 prospect from Ohio on the 247Sports composite. He took a redshirt after hurting his ankle last season and made three tackles in Saturday's spring game, per David Briggs of The Toledo Blade.

Jayme's father, Deon, released the following statement, per Marc Givler of BuckeyeGrove.com, Ohio State's affiliate on the Rivals network:

"

We would like to thank The Ohio State University for the opportunities that they have given my son, Jayme, and our family. Jayme is leaving the program in good academic standing and we look forward to the next chapter of Jayme's education and football playing career.

"

According to Givler's report, Thompson would have to sit out next season (per the NCAA's transfer rules) unless he applies for a waiver to play immediately because of the timing of this announcement. If that waiver is approved, he would be eligible to play in 2014.

Givler also reports that the family is in the process of discussing destinations. If he indeed ends up at Kentucky, though, it would be the latest in a line of recent coups by head coach Mark Stoops, who has revitalized the school's recruiting potential these past few seasons.

Most recently, Stoops landed the No. 22 class in the nation last recruiting cycle, per the 247Sports rankings. The class included six 4-star recruits and 29 commitments in total.

Landing Thompson would move UK even closer to fielding, for the first time in a long time, a competitive team in the SEC.