Ohio State Buckeyes Transfer Portal: Top 5 potential recruits Ohio State should look out for
Few schools consider a 10-2 season and a CFP appearance disappointing, but Ohio State is one of them. After a fourth straight loss to Michigan, some people consider they need to win the national championship for coach Ryan Day to keep his job.
While the Buckeyes prepare for the CFP, the school must also focus on the transfer portal. Ohio State has one of the deepest teams in the nation, but they will lose several players to graduation and the NFL draft.
The Buckeyes have already added a player from the portal. Former Minnesota offensive lineman Phillip Daniels will join the team in 2025. They will likely need to add more to stay among the top teams in the nation.
Ohio State faces the Tennessee Volunteers at home in the first round of the College Football Playoff. A win would send them to the Rose Bowl to play the Oregon Ducks.
As they focus on the CFP, here are five players they should target in the transfer portal.
Top 5 transfers the Ohio State Buckeyes should go after
#5. Kameron Olds, Kent State Golden Flashes
Olds broke out in his third season at Kent State. After totaling nine tackles in his first two seasons, the edge rusher has 42 tackles, six sacks and one interception this year.
The Buckeyes will be left with only two defensive ends with playing experience on the roster. With little proven experience, the Buckeyes could look at someone like Olds to take over for a year while some younger players come into their own.
#4. Justice Haynes, Alabama Crimson Tide
Some reports have linked the Crimson Tide back to Ohio State. Haynes ran for 488 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024, but he also averaged 5.7 yards per carry. He is a strong running back who can take over starting back duties, as TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins are leaving after the year.
Traditionally Ohio State likes to establish a strong rushing offense. Having Haynes in the backfield could help the Buckeyes do just that.
#3. James Thompson Jr., Wisconsin Badgers
Thompson didn’t play in 2024 due to a torn pectoral muscle. He would be available for a season in Columbus and could shore up the defensive line. He finished the 2023 season with 29 tackles and three sacks.
With little depth in the trenches, the Buckeyes could use a familiar face. The Buckeyes are losing their entire starting defensive line. This pressures the team into finding players who can step in right away.
#2. Tacario Davis, Arizona Wildcats
The perimeter might not be in as dire a situation as the defensive line, but they also need to replace some key players. Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock will not be back in 2025. Davison Igbinosun has been inconsistent and could move to safety.
That opens the door for a cornerback, and the Buckeyes would be wise to get the top-ranked player at the position, according to 247 Sports. Davis has only one interception in three years, but that’s because quarterbacks often stay away. He would be a welcome addition to Columbus.
#1. Josh Thompson, Northwestern Wildcats
Adding Daniels addresses the tackle position. The line will also need to add players for the interior. There is arguably no one better than Thompson. Pro Football Focus graded him as the 8th best guard in the Big Ten and SEC. He can play inside or at tackle, although he is better suited as a guard.
The graduate transfer is highly sought after, so landing him won’t be easy for the Buckeyes. If they can take him to Columbus, his experience in the Big Ten would be valuable.
Which players do you think the Ohio State Buckeyes should look to add through the transfer portal? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.