It’s been a long, winding road for Palaie Gaoteote. The Bishop Gorman product spent his first three years in southern California at USC. Injuries kept the former five-star linebacker and No. 1 rated inside linebacker from living up to his full potential.
Maybe needing a fresh start, Gaoteote entered the transfer portal and landed in Columbus. There was some mystery involving his enrollment at Ohio State as he had to pay his own way while waiting on the NCAA to grant him eligibility. Gaoteote was finally cleared to play just a few days ago and it didn’t take him long to lose his black stripe. He even saw some limited action in the loss to Oregon.
“I just want to thank ya’ll for accepting me into the brotherhood. Shoutout H2, Coach Wash for pushing me every day. Love you guys like my own brothers. Go Bucks!”
🚨 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 ‼️
Welcome to the Brotherhood, @PalaieGaoteote! 🤝#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/atB32O7Ok6
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 15, 2021
Gaoteote came to OSU early in the summer and has been practicing with the team, but not knowing what his fate would be in the hands of the NCAA. Being ruled immediately eligible, Gaoteote could add some much-needed roster depth at a thin and inexperienced linebacker position.
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