Ohio State's Kamryn Babb won't return for sixth season: 'I'm excited to start the next chapter'

Ohio State wide receiver Kamryn Babb's college career has come to an end. The fifth-year player, who could have returned for a sixth season with the Buckeyes, announced on Tuesday that he will move on from his playing days in a message on social media.

Babb, who battled knee injuries throughout his Scarlet and Gray career, never was able to be the player he or others expected at Ohio State on the field but made a difference behind the scenes. He persevered through injuries when many would have given up and has always credited those within the program and his faith for helping him on his journey.

The wideout was no different in issuing his goodbye to Buckeye Nation.

My path at Ohio State is not the one I would have chosen. It was chosen for me to share with the world. To God be the glory. I thank my Lord Jesus Christ for giving me brothers, trainers and coaches who carried me through when I wanted to give up. The Brotherhood at Ohio State is real and it was a constant source of strength for me these past five years.

Ohio has become my home these past five years and I wouldn't change a thing. I'm excited to start the next chapter that God has for me while sharing my story with the world. None of these would be possible without Jesus. And most importantly my family who believes in me and covers me with their love every single day. I want to thank Buckeye Nation for seeing me and supporting me along my journey.

For those battling impossible odds, I believe we can endure and overcome all things through Christ, who strengthens us. Nothing is impossible with Jesus.

Much love,

Kam Babb

A four-star prospect out of St. Louis, Missouri's Christian Brothers College, Babb was the No. 13 receiver and a top-75 overall player, per the 247Sports Composite, in the 2018 recruiting class. Prior to coming to the Scarlet and Gray, Babbsuffered two season-ending leg injuries in high school.

While he hoped he would leave the injury issues behind him, that was unfortunately not the case for the wideout. Babb tore his ACL prior to the 2018 season, which forced him to sit out his freshman year at Ohio State. After rehabbing and recovering from the knee injury, Babb again tore his ACL in the spring of 2019 which meant another season on the sideline.

Finally healthy in 2020, Babb was able to make an impact for the Buckeyes on the field, even if it wasn't a major role. The receiver only played in three of Ohio State's eight games offensively that year and recorded no receptions, but he featured in each contest on special teams, managing one tackle.

In the midst of a productive spring in 2021,Babb suffered yet another injury setbackthat ultimately forced him to miss the season. Despite being hurt,Babb was named one of six Buckeye captainsfor the 2021 season.

Coming into the 2022 season, Babb battled minor injuries that kept him off the field for the first nine contests of the year. In the one game he played against Indiana, Babb caught his first career pass, hauling in an eight-yard reception for a touchdown in a 54-14 win. The celebration that followed showed how much Babb meant to this team, despite not playing many Saturdays throughout his time in Columbus.

Babb can now begin the next phase of his life and Buckeye Nation will certainly keep an eye on what the young man does next.