In the new era of mass exodus in the transfer portal, having a successful transfer class could make or break the season. Ohio State’s 2024 transfer class, which included Caleb Downs, Will Howard, Quinshon
Judkins, Julian Sayin, and Seth McLaughlin (among others), propelled that Buckeye team to a national title. Thus far, Ohio State has lost nearly 30 players to the portal and has brought in 11 players. Here are five things you need to know about Ohio State’s transfer portal class thus far.
1. Bolstering the back end
You can not replace Caleb Downs. Downs may very well have been the greatest safety that Ohio State has ever had. With Downs’ departure for the NFL, Ohio State had massive shoes to fill. Ohio State returns starting Safety Jaylen McClain. After that? Youth and inexperience. With Malik Hartford and Faheem Delane entering the portal, the only other returning Safety who has played is Leroy Roker.
As a result, Ohio State was aggressive in finding some new replacements at Safety. The Buckeyes have added Earl Little Jr. and Terry Moore. Little Jr., a Florida State transfer, received second-team All-ACC honors this past season. Terry Moore, a Duke transfer, was a second-team All-ACC performer in 2024. Moore did not play in 2025 after an ACL Injury. But in 2024, Moore was PFF’s highest graded Safety. While Downs is irreplaceable, the additions of Little Jr. and Moore are massive.
2. New look receiver room
For the first time in the transfer portal era, Ohio State has had significant departures and a lack of depth in the wide receiver room. With Carnell Tate declaring for the draft, and then Quincy Porter, Mylan Graham, Bodpegn Miller, Damarion Witten, and Bryson Rodgers entering the portal, Ohio State’s receiver room will look very different.
Obviously, Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Innis return. After that, Chris Henry Jr. is slotted for significant playing time. To bolster the room, Ohio State brought in Devin McCuin from UTSA. McCuin is a speedster who hauled in eight touchdowns last year. Ohio State is also actively seeking to retain Mylan Graham despite his having entered the portal.
3. Linebackers
Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese, one of Ohio State’s best linebacker duos ever, are both headed to the NFL. Ohio State has some very talented youngsters to fill the room. Payton Pierce, Riley Pettijohn, and Tarvos Alford are well-equipped to be the future of the Buckeye defense.
With that said, they are inexperienced. To remedy that, Ohio State brought in experienced Wisconsin transfer Christian Alliegro. Alliegro was a hot commodity in the portal, and Ohio State had to fend off Texas for his commitment.
4. Bama package
Ohio State’s defensive line has lost Kayden McDonald, Caden Curry, and Tywone Malone to the NFL already. Kenyatta Jackson’s NFL decision remains. With all those losses, Ohio State has been very active along the defensive line in the portal.
On Jan 12, Ohio State secured the package-commitment of Qua Russaw and James Smith. Russaw, an outside linebacker/edge rusher, was a former five-star recruit who is transferring in from Alabama. Joining Russaw is his Alabama teammate, James Smith, a defensive tackle who was one of the top ten remaining players overall in the portal.
Last week, Ohio State also added John Walker to its defensive line. Walker, a UCF transfer, will seek to be in the two-deep at defensive tackle.
5. Tight end overhaul
With Max Klare’s NFL decision looming, Will Kacmarek graduating, and Jelani Thurman in the portal, Ohio State’s tight end room needed an overhaul. While Ohio State does return Nate Roberts and Bennet Christian (likely), the position lacks experienced depth. One of Ohio State’s first portal additions was Mason Williams from Ohio University. Williams will be following in Kacmarek’s footsteps and will be the next Ohio U tight end to call Columbus home.
Ohio State also added Hunter Welcing, a Northwestern transfer, to the tight end room. Welcing will be playing his seventh year of college football and received All-Big Ten honorable mention honors last season.
