Russell Melendez Transfers to Ohio State

After appealing the NCAA and earning an extra year of eligibility, former Johns Hopkins attackman Russell Melendez entered the transfer portal — and joined a Big Ten rival.

Mitchell Pehlke and James Hogan, co-hosts of the Mitchell Pehlke Lacrosse Show on The Lacrosse Network, announced Monday evening that Melendez will transfer to Ohio State for his final season of NCAA lacrosse.

Inside Lacrosse first reported last week that Melendez would enter the portal.

Melendez exhausted his options to return to Hopkins, Inside Lacrosse was told, hence his choice to enter the portal. A highly productive player when healthy, Melendez produced 37 goals and 16 assists in his best season at Homewood in 2023 — his first season with the Blue Jays after transferring in from Marquette.

But staying on the field has been a challenge for Melendez, who also plays for Team Puerto Rico. He played in seven games with four starts as a true freshman at Marquette before suffering an injury, then he played in just three games (with three starts) in 2022.

He was healthy in 2023 and 2024 after transferring to Johns Hopkins, posting combined totals of 56 goals and 24 assists over two seasons (33 games). He played just seven games in 2025 but was a crucial piece to the Hopkins attack with 14 goals and nine assists — not to mention a .452 shooting percentage.

Melendez earned honorable mention USILA All-American and first-team All-Big Te honors in 2023.

Russell Melendez Transfers to Ohio State

Kenny DeJohn