Dianté Griffin, a fifth‑year defensive back for the Ball State Cardinals, will step onto the storied grass of Ohio Stadium on September 5, 2026, for a homecoming matchup against Ohio State.
After four seasons as a walk‑on at Ohio State, Griffin graduated in May and now returns as a graduate senior, having found a supportive environment at Ball State that propelled him from limited playing time to a key contributor on the Cardinals’ defense.
The Griffin family’s connection to Ohio State runs deep; Dianté is the seventh Griffin to don the Buckeye uniform, following his father Andre Griffin, his grandfather Dave Reynolds, and the legendary two‑time Heisman winner Archie Griffin, whose name still reverberates through the program.
A Family Legacy Meets a New Chapter
What makes this homecoming especially poignant is that Griffin will become the first member of his family to appear in Ohio Stadium while playing for an opponent, a symbolic moment that underscores both his personal journey and the enduring legacy of his lineage.
Excited to reconnect with former teammates, Griffin looks forward to sharing the field with Jaylen McClain, Leroy Roker III, Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Brenten “Inky” Jones, all of whom have followed their own paths since leaving Columbus.
His family, many of whom remain loyal Ohio State supporters, will be on hand to cheer him on, turning the stadium into a gathering place for generations of Buckeye pride.