Ohio State proved this past season it can get back to March. The next step is building a roster that can win there. That is where the transfer portal comes in.
Jake Diebler enters his first offseason after making the NCAA tournament with momentum, and that changes the approach. The Buckeyes do not need volume additions or long-term projects. They need players who can immediately raise the ceiling of the roster. The type of additions that shift outcomes in March, not just stabilize regular season play.
A few early names already stand out as fits for what Ohio State needs. Stefan Vaaks, John Blackwell, and Jalen Haralson each bring a different dimension, but all three represent the kind of “splash” additions that could meaningfully change the trajectory of next season.
Stefan Vaaks: The upside swing on the wing
Stefan Vaaks is the projection play, but an important one.
The Providence wing fits the modern archetype programs are chasing. At around 6-foot-6 with positional versatility, Vaaks offers a blend of length, shooting flashes, and defensive flexibility that translates well to high-level systems. His production has not consistently matched his tools yet, but context matters. Providence has dealt with roster instability, and his role has fluctuated within that structure.
What stands out is the skill set. Vaaks can space the floor in catch-and-shoot situations, attack closeouts in straight lines, and defend across multiple positions. Those are traits Ohio State values in its switching defensive schemes and spacing-based offense.
This would not be a guaranteed star addition, it would be a ceiling bet. But those bets are how rosters evolve from solid to dangerous. Adding a player like Vaaks gives Ohio State another versatile wing who, if developed correctly, could become a true two-way difference-maker.
John Blackwell: Proven production that translates immediately
If Vaaks represents upside, John Blackwell represents certainty.
The Wisconsin guard has already produced at a high level in the Big Ten, averaging 19.1 points per game against some of the best competition in the country. That alone makes him one of the most valuable types of portal targets.
Blackwell is more than just a scorer. He is a complete offensive guard who can create his own shot, operate in ball screens, and play both on and off the ball. That versatility is critical for Ohio State, especially alongside a player like Juni Mobley.
This past season showed how important multiple creators are in Diebler’s system. Too often, the burden fell heavily on Thornton and, at times, Mobley. Blackwell would immediately ease that pressure, giving Ohio State another player who can generate offense late in possessions and handle high-leverage moments.
There is also no adjustment curve. Blackwell understands the physicality and pace of the Big Ten, making him a plug-and-play addition who raises both the floor and the ceiling from day one.
Jalen Haralson: True splash and potential centerpiece
If Ohio State is looking for an upside addition, Jalen Haralson is it.
The Notre Dame freshman has already shown star-level production, averaging 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in his first college season. At 6-foot-7, he brings size, shot creation, and playmaking in a package that is difficult to find in the portal.
Haralson is not just a scorer, he is a potential primary option. He can create off the dribble, operate in isolation, and generate offense in ways that translate directly to high-level postseason basketball. He has the ability to take over stretches of games, but also the vision to facilitate when defenses collapse.
For Ohio State, that kind of player changes everything. He would not just fit into the system. He would elevate it. Pairing Haralson with the Buckeyes’ current core would give the offense another high-level creator and provide long-term stability with multiple years of eligibility remaining.
And importantly, Ohio State has already shown interest, signaling this is a realistic pursuit, not just a theoretical fit.
The bigger picture: Impact over volume
All three players highlight what Ohio State actually needs. Not more bodies, not depth for the sake of depth. Impact.
A versatile wing with upside in Vaaks. A proven Big Ten creator in Blackwell. A potential star in Haralson. Each fills a different layer of need, but together they represent a clear strategy.
Because the gap between making the tournament and making a run is not as large as it seems. It comes down to a few possessions, a few creators, a few players who can deliver in March. That is what the portal is for.
