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Ohio State football transfer portal tracker, follow player movement
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- Ohio State football transfer portal tracker, follow player movement
The offseason transfer portal window closed on Jan. 16, a period of two weeks that saw a flurry of activity across the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Ohio State saw 30 scholarship players and at least two walk-ons enter the portal and added 16 to their roster over the period. While the deadline for entry has passed, those already in the portal can continue to sign with schools. The Buckeyes have added two commitments since the portal's closing.
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To catch up on all the movement involving the Buckeyes , The Dispatch has kept tabs on the latest movement below.
OHIO STATE FOOTBALL PLAYERS ENTERING THE PORTAL (32)
S Cody Haddad
Haddad entered the portal on Jan. 16 after spending one year at Ohio State .
The Cleveland native did not appear in a game for the Buckeyes in 2025. He was a three-star recruit when he signed with the Buckeyes last winter, having flipped his commitment from Wisconsin in 2024.
DT Trajen Odom
Odom entered the portal on Jan. 13, becoming the third freshman defensive tackle to leave the Buckeyes after one season.
The 6-foot-3, 295-pound lineman appeared in three games last fall, but did not record any statistics while playing a total of 10 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He was a three-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.
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DE Joshua Mickens
Mickens plans to enter the portal after three seasons with the Buckeyes, his agency 3 Strand Sports & Entertainment confirmed in a post shared on X on Jan. 13.
His plans were made known a day after the Buckeyes received commitments from defensive tackle James Smith and linebacker Qua Russaw , a pair of transfers from Alabama who are expected to bolster their front.
Mickens had six tackles and one tackle for a loss in 14 games with Ohio State. He was a borderline top-100 prospect in the class of 2023 when he signed out of Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis .
S Faheem Delane
Delane plans to enter portal after one season with the Buckeyes, he told On3 on Jan. 10.
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He appeared in 14 games this past season, rotating as a backup safety and covering kickoffs. He made 12 tackles, including one for a loss of yards at Wisconsin in October.
Delane was the nation's No. 5 safety when he signed with Ohio State as part of the 2025 recruiting class, according to composite rankings from 247Sports.
LB Ty Howard
Howard announced on Jan. 10 that he had reentered the portal after a year at Ohio State.
He did not appear in a game for the Buckeyes last fall after transferring from Duquesne. He's the older brother of Bo Jackson , the running back who broke out as a freshman .
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WR Bodpegn Miller
Miller on Jan. 9 confirmed his plans to enter the portal after one season with the Buckeyes.
Miller would become the second receiver who signed with Ohio State as part of the 2025 recruiting class to leave, following Quincy Porter who put his name in the portal earlier in the week.
Miller did not appear in a game last fall as he redshirted as a freshman.
S Malik Hartford
Hartford entered the portal on Jan. 9 following three seasons with the Buckeyes, a school spokesperson confirmed.
He lost out to Jaylen McClain in a preseason position battle to start opposite fellow safety Caleb Downs last August and ultimately redshirted in 2025 to preserve the year of eligibility.
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Most of Hartford's snaps came early in his career as he made two starts as a freshman in 2023. He made 20 tackles over the three years.
DT Jarquez Carter
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Jarquez Carter (91) runs during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus on March 19, 2025.
Carter confirmed plans to enter the portal on Jan. 9 after one season at Ohio State.
He made one tackle in six games with the Buckeyes last fall. A former top-200 prospect, he was the highest-ranked interior defensive lineman they signed in the 2025 class.
DT Eric Mensah
Mensah announced plans to enter the transfer portal on Jan. 9 after two seasons with the Buckeyes.
He appeared in four games and assisted on two tackles, both of them during the Buckeyes' rout of Grambling State last September. It was his lone appearance in 2025.
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S Keenan Nelson Jr.
Nelson confirmed his plans to reenter the portal after two seasons with the Buckeyes on Jan. 7.
He transferred to Ohio State from South Carolina in 2024 with four starts under his belt, but never broke into the rotation at safety. His only snaps with the Buckeyes were on special teams, most of them with kickoff coverage.
DT Maxwell Roy
Roy plans to enter the portal, according to a post shared on his X on Jan. 7.
The 6-foot-3, 301-pound lineman from Philadelphia was unavailable for the Buckeyes throughout the regular season and did not appear in a game as a freshman. He was the nation's No. 357 overall prospect in the 2025 class.
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OL Jayvon McFadden
McFadden confirmed on Jan. 7 that he plans to enter the transfer portal after one season with the Buckeyes.
He appeared in one game last fall, playing 16 snaps in a rout of Grambling State on Sept. 6. He was the nation's No. 391 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.
WR Quincy Porter
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Quincy Porter (11) runs past Minnesota Golden Gophers linebacker Devon Williams (9) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 4, 2025. Ohio State won 42-3.
It was reported by On3 on Jan. 6 that Porter planned to enter the portal after a year at Ohio State.
Porter had been a five-star recruit who was the No. 23 overall prospect in his class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings, but was limited by injuries as a freshman, missing six of Ohio State's last seven games. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound pass catcher caught four passes for 59 yards.
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He would be the fourth wide receiver to transfer from Ohio State this offseason.
OL Justin Terry
Terry reentered the portal on Jan. 6 after one season with the Buckeyes, a school spokesperson confirmed.
A native of Pickerington, he transferred to Ohio State from West Virginia last spring and saw 57 snaps as a backup offensive lineman. He also contributed on special teams for field goal and extra point protection.
OL Tegra Tshabola
It was reported on Jan. 4 that Tshabola plans to enter the transfer portal for his final year of eligibility.
Tshabola made 28 starters at right guard over the past two seasons, but fell into a rotation with Joshua Padilla and Gabe VanSickle late this past season. An unspecified injury held him out of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal loss to Miami.
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There figured to be a competition at right guard had Tshabola decided to remain with the Buckeyes in 2026.
WR Mylan Graham
Graham told On3 on Jan. 4 that he plans to enter the portal after two seasons with the Buckeyes.
A former five-star recruit who was the nation's No. 33 overall prospect out of high school in 2024, he redshirted as a freshman before catching six passes for 93 yards as a backup this past season.
CB Aaron Scott Jr.
Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Aaron Scott Jr. (5) celebrates during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 22, 2025. Ohio State won 42-9.
Scott announced on Jan. 4 that he plans to enter the portal after his two seasons at Ohio State.
A former five-star recruit from Springfield, he was the top-ranked player in Ohio in the 2024 class. Scott appeared n 15 games with the Buckeyes and had eight tackles and two pass breakups.
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OL Isaiah Kema
Kema entered the portal on Jan. 3 after one season with the Buckeyes.
He appeared in four games as a backup center, allowing him to qualify for a redshirt and preserve his freshman year of eligibility.
OL Devontae Armstrong
Armstrong announced plans to enter the portal on Jan. 2 after he did not appear in a game in two years with the Buckeyes.
His twin brother, Deontae, is also a backup offensive lineman with the Buckeyes.
P Nick McLarty
McLarty announced on Jan. 2 he was transferring after two years with the Buckeyes.
He punted three times as the backup to Joe McGuire , a fellow Australian native who edged him out for the starting job in 2024.
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K Jackson Courville
Courville announced plans to reenter the portal on Jan. 2 after the walk-on transferred to Ohio State from Ball State last spring.
He appeared in two games while backing up Jayden Fielding and made all four extra point attempts. He also kicked off four times against Grambling State and Minnesota .
RB James Peoples
Ohio State Buckeyes running back James Peoples (20) runs for a touchdown during the NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 15, 2025. Ohio State won 48-10.
Peoples announced on Jan. 2 that he would enter the portal for his final two years of eligibility.
He had started two games in September and looked in line to be the Buckeyes' primary back before falling behind in the rotation behind Bo Jackson and CJ Donaldson . He finished with 344 rushing yards and three touchdowns as the No. 3 back.
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RB Sam Dixon
Dixon confirmed plans on Jan. 2 to reenter the portal for the second straight offseason.
After the Pickerington native withdrew from the portal to remain with the Buckeyes last year, he appeared in just one game, rushing for 9 yards on three carries late in a rout of Grambling State in September.
WR Damarion Witten
Witten announced plans to enter the portal on Jan. 1 after two seasons with the Buckeyes.
A former tight end at Glenville High School in Cleveland, he moved to wide receiver at Ohio State and appeared in only one game.
DE Logan George
George confirmed plans to reenter the portal on Jan. 1 after one season at Ohio State.
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He was a notable pickup last winter after he had been one of the FCS's most disruptive pass rushers at Idaho State in 2024, but he was unavailable for most of this past season and appeared in just three games with the Buckeyes
DE C.J. Hicks
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker C.J. Hicks (11) pressures Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. Ohio State won 14-7.
Hicks confirmed he was entering the portal for his final year of eligibility on Jan. 1.
He had been the nation's top-ranked linebacker recruit out of high school in Dayton in 2022, but never carved out a significant role at the position.
The Buckeyes moved him to defensive end this past offseason in an effort to tap into his potential as a pass rusher, but he ultimately appeared in just four games during the regular season to qualify for a redshirt and preserve his year of eligibility.
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DE Dominic Kirks
Kirks announced plans to enter the transfer portal on Jan. 1 after two seasons with the Buckeyes. A native of Cleveland, he made two tackles in six games.
CB Bryce West
West announced plans to leave the Buckeyes after two seasons on Jan. 1, a hit to their depth at nickel back.
A former top-75 recruit from Cleveland, he was the backup behind Lorenzo Styles Jr. and appeared in all but one game as a redshirt freshman. West had 10 tackles and a forced fumble in 2025.
QB Lincoln Kienholz
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Lincoln Kienholz (3) runs at UCLA Bruins defensive back Scooter Jackson (28) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 15, 2025. Ohio State won 48-10.
Kienholz confirmed his intentions to enter the portal on Jan. 1, a day before the offseason window opened for a period of two weeks, and committed to Louisville days later.
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He had been the backup quarterback behind redshirt freshman Julian Sayin after losing out in an offseason competition that lasted for months. Kienholz threw for 139 yards and a touchdown and ran for 66 yards and two touchdowns in seven games in 2025.
It was the second straight offseason that the Buckeyes saw their experienced backup quarterback depart as Devin Brown transferred to California last winter.
QB Mason Maggs
A walk-on from Dublin who spent four seasons with the Buckeyes, Maggs announced plans to enter the portal following the College Football Playoff quarterfinals on Dec. 31.
He's the son of the late Bob Maggs, a former All-Big Ten offensive lineman for the Buckeyes who died unexpectedly in October.
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TE Jelani Thurman
Thurman announced his intent to enter the portal in the immediate aftermath of the Buckeyes' loss to Miami in the quarterfinals on New Year's Eve.
He caught 13 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns in his three seasons at Ohio State.
WR Bryson Rodgers
Wide receiver Bryson Rodgers celebrates a first down for Ohio State during a 34-10 win over Purdue on Nov. 8.
Rodgers marked the first loss for the Buckeyes after he announced his intent to enter the portal on Dec. 18 and did not remain with the Buckeyes for the College Football Playoff.
He caught 11 passes for 125 yards and one touchdown over his three years as a backup slot receiver.
PLAYERS IN THE PORTAL HEADED TO OHIO STATE (18)
OL Vasean Washington
Washington confirmed his commitment to Ohio State on social media on Jan. 28, giving the Buckeyes their first transfer offensive lineman this offseason.
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He was the starting right tackle at Dartmouth last fall and also started four games at left guard and left tackle in 2024. According to Pro Football Focus, he has allowed only one sack in 26 career games with the Big Green.
The 6-foot-5, 285-pound lineman is a native of Springfield. He has one year of eligibility left after redshirting in 2022.
P Brady Young
Young announced his commitment to the Buckeyes on Jan. 21, adding another punter alongside Joe McGuire.
He punted 69 times at Houston Christian last year for an average of 41.8 yards, including a long of 66 yards. He's a native of Perrysburg who spent his previous four years at Cincinnati , but did not appear in a game while with the Bearcats.
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WR Kyle Parker
Nov 22, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Kyle Parker (12) runs against Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defensive back Nazir Ward (6) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
The Buckeyes received a commitment from Parker on Jan. 16, adding their second transfer receiver this offseason.
Parker had 34 catches for 385 yards and five touchdowns over this three years at LSU , most of them while lining up in the slot last fall.
He had ties to wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton, who was his position coach with the Tigers before joining Ohio State's staff earlier this month.
CB Dominick Kelly
Kelly committed to transfer to Ohio State on Jan. 15, becoming the second cornerback in a span of one day to make a pledge to join the Buckeyes.
He appeared in 10 games as a backup at Georgia this past season and had three tackles and three pass breakups.
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When he signed with the Bulldogs as part of their 2025 class, he was a four-star recruit who was the No. 374 overall prospect in the nation, according to 247Sports' composite rankings.
RB Ja'Kobi Jackson
Jackson committed to Ohio State on Jan. 15, adding veteran depth to a backfield rotation that lost CJ Donaldson Jr. and James Peoples this offseason.
He was granted a seventh year of eligibility by the NCAA after an injury limited him at Florida last fall. In his 17 games with the Gators , he rushed for 607 yards and seven touchdowns and flashed as a physical runner.
Jackson began his career at Coahoma Community College before transferring to Florida in 2023.
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CB Cam Calhoun
Sep 6, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama defensive back Cam Calhoun (9) attempts to tackle UL Monroe running back D'Shaun Ford (22) at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated UL Monroe 73-0. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
The Buckeyes received a commitment from Calhoun on Jan. 15, adding an experienced cornerback to their secondary.
Calhoun spent this past season at Alabama and finished with seven tackles, one pass breakup and a fumble recovery as a backup and contributor on special teams.
He was at Michigan in 2023 and Utah in 2024. As he redshirted as a freshman with the Wolverines, he has two years of eligibility left.
K Connor Hawkins
Hawkins committed to transfer to Ohio State not long after he entered the portal on Jan. 14.
The pledge gave the Buckeyes a kicker with range as Hawkins made three of four field-goal attempts from 50 or more yards at Baylor last year.
He'd be the only kicker on the roster at the moment as Jackson Courville is transferring to Tulane and Jayden Fielding is out of eligibility.
LB Qua Russaw
Russaw was one of two former Alabama players to commit to transfer to Ohio State on Jan. 12.
After redshirting as a freshman in 2023, he made nine starts over the past two seasons and was lined up closer to the line of scrimmage as a standup defensive end.
He missed six games due to a foot injury in 2025 and finished with 14 tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack.
DT James Smith
Nov 8, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama defensive lineman James Smith (23) celebrates after LSU missed a field goal at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
Smith committed to transfer to Ohio State on Jan. 12, giving the Buckeyes one of the top defensive tackles available during the portal window.
He is the No. 1 interior defensive lineman in this offseason cycle, according to 247Sports' rankings.
The 6-foot-3, 297-pound lineman made 12 starts for the Crimson Tide in 2025 and finished with 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
QB Justyn Martin
On3 reported on Jan. 12 that the Buckeyes had received a commitment from Martin, who was a backup quarterback at Maryland last season.
Martin began his career at UCLA in 2022 and threw for 179 yards and one touchdown with the Bruins. He did not attempt a pass last fall with the Terrapins.
The addition gives the Buckeyes a veteran quarterback behind Julian Sayin, who was a Heisman Trophy finalist as a redshirt freshman last fall.
TE Hunter Welcing
Welcing committed to Ohio State on Jan. 12, providing the Buckeyes with their second transfer tight end in as many weeks.
He was named an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection last fall when he caught 28 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns. It was a breakout season for Welcing as he had only one career reception before 2025.
S Terry Moore
Sep 28, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils safety Terry Moore (1) tackles North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) with the ball during the first half of the game against at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
Moore committed to transfer to Ohio State on Jan. 12, making him the second addition to the Buckeyes' secondary in as many days.
He made 19 starts over his four seasons at Duke, most of them in 2024 when he was named a second-team All-ACC selection while leading the Blue Devils with four interceptions. He also had 71 tackles, seven tackles for loss and one sack during the breakout year.
A torn torn anterior cruciate ligament sidelined Moore in 2025, allowing him to redshirt and preserve one more year of eligibility.
S Earl Little Jr.
Little committed to transfer to Ohio State for his final year of eligibility on Jan. 11, adding an experienced safety to the Buckeyes' secondary.
He made 11 starts during a breakout year at Florida State in 2025 when he led the Seminoles with 76 tackles and four interceptions and was named second-team All-ACC. Before entering the portal, he had considered declaring early for the NFL draft.
Little began his career at Alabama before transferring to Florida State in 2024 following Nick Saban's retirement. He's the son of Earl Little Sr., who spent nine seasons in the NFL, six of them with the Cleveland Browns .
LB Christian Alliegro
Sep 13, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Wisconsin linebacker Christian Alliegro (0) pressures and sacks Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (15) at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
The Buckeyes received a verbal commitment on Jan. 8 from Wisconsin linebacker Christian Alliegro, who will transfer to Ohio State for his final year of eligibility.
Alliegro was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in 2025 and finished with 53 tackles, eight tackles for loss and four sacks.
He adds a veteran presence to a linebacker room that could lose both starters. Sonny Styles is out of eligibility, and Arvell Reese could skip his senior season for the NFL draft as he is positioned to be a potential top-10 pick.
WR Devin McCuin
McCuin committed to transfer to Ohio State for his final year of eligibility on Jan. 7.
He caught 152 passes for 1,696 yards and 16 touchdowns in his three seasons at UTSA and was a third team All-American Conference selection last season.
The 6-foot, 195-pound receiver has one year of eligibility left.
DT John Walker
Walker announced his commitment to transfer to Ohio State after three years at UCF on Jan. 6.
He emerged as a starter at defensive tackle for the Knights after a leg injury had sidelined him in 2024. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound tackle had 64 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks between his healthy seasons in 2025 and 2023.
The Buckeyes made a push to sign him out of high school before the top-100 prospect initially stayed close to home in Central Florida. He has two years of eligibility left.
LS Dalton Riggs
The Buckeyes received a commitment from Riggs on Jan. 4, leaving them with a potential replacement for John Ferlmann.
Ferlmann, the starting long snapper for the Buckeyes since 2023, is out of eligibility. Riggs snapped in all 12 games for UCF this past season and has a year of eligibility left. He began his career at BYU in 2022.
TE Mason Williams
Ohio Bobcats tight end Mason Williams (85) scores the first touchdown for his team despite efforts by Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman Jordan Walker (8) Thursday, August 28, 2025.
Williams became the Buckeyes' first portal pickup when he announced his commitment on Jan. 4, giving them a big-bodied tight end for next season.
He helps to replace Will Kacmarek , who also transferred from Ohio to Ohio State two years ago and made an impact as a blocker.
Williams was a third-team All-MAC selection in 2025. Over three seasons with the Bobcats, he caught 48 passes for 565 yards and six touchdowns and built a reputation as a strong blocker as well. He has two years of eligibility left.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow along on Bluesky , Instagram and X for more.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football transfer portal tracker 2026, comings and goings
