Ohio State entered the 2025 season with one of the most active transfer portal cycles in recent program history, bringing in a group of players expected to provide both immediate impact and depth across the roster.
Through two games, several of these additions have already carved out roles in Ryan Day’s rotation, while others remain developmental depth or special-teams pieces. With the Buckeyes off to a 2–0 start, here’s a look at how the most impactful newcomers are performing so far, ranked from
most impactful to least.
C.J. Donaldson – RB (West Virginia)
Donaldson is already proving to be one of the most important additions of the cycle. A downhill back with size and power, he has quickly become a central figure in the Buckeyes’ ground game.
Through two weeks, Donaldson has carried 24 times for 112 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Against Texas, he powered in a goal-line score and handled the bulk of the rushing workload, finishing with 19 carries for 67 yards. He followed that performance with 45 yards on five carries and another touchdown in the rout of Grambling State.
Donaldson’s combination of short-yardage reliability and early-down efficiency has given Ohio State a physical rushing element it lacked a season ago, and he looks poised to remain a fixture in the offense moving forward.
Phillip Daniels – OT (Minnesota)
Daniels has been one of the biggest surprises of Ohio State’s early season. Expected by many to provide depth, he instead won the starting right tackle job outright over fellow transfer Ethan Onianwa and has been fantastic through two games.
Daniels has held up well in pass protection, keeping the pocket clean for Julian Sayin, and has shown power in the run game that has helped spring C.J. Donaldson and the other Buckeye backs. His ability to lock down the edge against Texas in Week 1 set the tone for the offensive line’s performance, and he followed it up with another steady outing against Grambling State.
What was initially viewed as a solid depth addition now looks like one of the portal’s biggest steals, with Daniels establishing himself as a reliable starter in Columbus.
Beau Atkinson – DE (North Carolina)
Atkinson has not yet filled up the stat sheet, recording just one solo tackle through two games, but his presence in the edge rotation has been felt. He brings length and pass-rush experience from his time at UNC, and while he has yet to register a sack, his ability to eat snaps and keep the rotation fresh is valuable for a defensive front that leans on waves of contributors.
As the season develops, Atkinson will be relied on to provide more disruption against higher-level offensive lines.
Max Klare – TE (Purdue)
Klare has had a quieter statistical start, with just two receptions for 18 yards through two games, but his reputation as one of the top transfer TEs in the cycle keeps him squarely in Ohio State’s plans. Used primarily in two-tight end sets, Klare provides mismatch potential and a red-zone option who could see more involvement as the passing offense diversifies.
His willingness as a blocker has already contributed in the run game, even if the box score impact hasn’t yet shown.
Ethan Onianwa – OL (Rice)
Onianwa’s contributions have been limited so far, but he provides depth and versatility in the trenches. Interestingly, his early snaps have come at guard rather than his natural tackle position, showing Ohio State’s emphasis on versatility across the offensive line.
He has not yet played a ton of major minutes but remains an important practice and depth option with the potential to grow into a bigger role later in the season.
Logan George – DE (Idaho State)
George arrived as one of the most productive defensive linemen in the FCS ranks, coming off a 19.5 TFL season at Idaho State. George has yet to see the field after nursing an injury through the first two weeks of the season, but is expected to be available for Ohio State’s Week 3 matchup against Ohio.
Conclusion
Through the first two games, Ohio State’s 2025 transfer class has already begun to separate into tiers of impact.
At the top, C.J. Donaldson and Phillips Daniels have emerged as game-changing additions. Donaldson as a physical, tone-setting runner in the backfield, and Daniels as a surprise standout starter at right tackle who has solidified the offensive line.
Just behind them, Beau Atkinson and Max Klare have carved out important roles, with Atkinson contributing as a rotational edge rusher and Klare adding another dimension to the tight end room.
Further down the rotation, Ethan Onianwa is still in the process of adjusting to his new role and finding consistent snaps, but brings upside and depth that will matter more as the grind of Big Ten play unfolds. George fits this mold as well, but has yet to debut for the Buckeyes.
Together, this group has already reshaped Ohio State’s roster flexibility, and their continued development will be pivotal as the season progresses.
