Ohio State Transfer Portal Explodes: Which Surprising Stars Are On The Move?
As the winter chill settles in and the calendar flips to January 2, the frenzy of college football’s transfer portal swings open its doors wide—ushering in a whirlwind of comings and goings that could reshape Ohio State’s roster in a heartbeat. It’s a turbulent time where established veterans join fresh faces, while some familiar names find new homes elsewhere. Here at Land-Grant Holy Land, we’re on the pulse of every pivot, tracking each player who steps onto or steps away from the scarlet and gray battlefield. This living document stays sharp and current, reflecting the latest as Ohio State strategizes to reload and reclaim its dominance. If you’re as intrigued by these roster revolutions as I am, keep your eyes glued right here—you won’t want to miss a beat. LEARN MORE
With the transfer portal officially opening on Jan. 2, Land-Grant Holy Land is keeping track of all the roster movement surrounding Ohio State, including both players leaving the program and new additions from elsewhere.
This tracker will be kept up to date as more moves are announced.
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All recruiting rankings are via the 247Sports Composite unless otherwise noted.
Transferring In (11)
Mason Williams (Tight End | Junior | Ohio) – 1/4/26
A veteran of over 1,100 snaps played across three seasons, Williams joins Ohio State by way of Ohio much in the same capacity as Will Kacmarek before him. The 6-foot-5, 258-pound tight end has caught 48 passes for 565 yards and six touchdowns in his career, but like Kacmarek has been primarily used as an in-line blocker.
Dalton Riggs (Long Snapper | Senior | UCF) – 1/4/26
Riggs will be entering his fifth year of college football after spending his first three seasons at BYU and one season at UCF. Per the Knights, Riggs was one of three long snappers in the Big 12 with at least 100 snaps to have 0% of his snaps marked as inaccurate on field goals and extra points.
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He is lined up to be Ohio State’s starting long snapper with John Ferlmann exhausting eligibility.
John Walker (Defensive Line | Junior | UCF) – 1/6/26
After missing out on Walker during the recruiting process, Ohio State has landed the veteran defensive lineman in the transfer portal. The Buckeyes finished second for the Florida native back when he was the No. 11 DL and No. 93 overall player in the 2023 class, who now brings with him almost 900 career snaps.
After missing the entire 2024 season with an injury, Walker finished the 2025 campaign as UCF’s top run defender, totaling 40 tackles with three TFLs, one sack and a forced fumble.
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Devin McCuin (Wide Receiver | Junior | UTSA) – 1/7/26
Ohio State has lost a lot at wide receiver with Carnell Tate declaring for the NFL Draft and a trio of transfer portal entrants, but have now added a speedy veteran in McCuin. Spending the last three seasons at UTSA, the 6-foot, 195-pound pass-catcher has racked up just under 1,700 yards on 152 catches with 16 touchdowns, including a career-high eight touchdowns in 2025.
In addition to experience, McCuin brings with him some legit track speed, timed at 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 10.28 seconds in the 100-meter dash in high school. The Texas native is in line for significant playing time next season alongside Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss and Chris Henry Jr.
Christian Alliegro (Linebacker | Junior | Wisconsin) – 1/8/26
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Replacing the All-American linebacker duo of Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese will not be easy, but Ohio State is looking to infuse some experience into the room with the addition of Alliegro. Spending his first three seasons with the Badgers, the productive veteran has compiled 124 tackles in his career with 14 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
A showcase of the kind of player the Buckeyes are getting with Alliegro, the linebacker broke his arm in the game against Ohio State this season, but finished the remainder of the contest and only missed two games after that before returning. Alliegro can play at either linebacker position, joining Payton Pierce and Riley Pettijohn as key figures in that room.
Earl Little Jr. (Safety | Junior | Florida State) – 1/11/26
Ohio State is never going to be able to replace Caleb Downs, but they did find an incredibly experienced player to fill his shoes by adding Little Jr., who started at safety for Florida State this past season. The son of Earl Little, who played in the NFL from 1998-2005, Little Jr. is a former top-100 prospect who spent two years at Alabama before joining the Seminoles in 2024.
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The 6-foot-1 safety did a little bit of everything for Florida State this past season, tallying 76 tackles to go along with four interceptions, two forced fumbles and two tackles for loss, earning himself second-team All-ACC honors. Little Jr. originally declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, but decided instead to withdraw and enter the transfer portal.
He will likely start for Ohio State alongside McClain at either the free safety or the nickel spot.
Terry Moore (Safety | Senior | Duke) – 1/12/26
Ohio State has added a second proven playmaker by way of the ACC, as Moore joins Little Jr. in the Buckeyes’ defensive backfield. Moore missed the entirety of the 2025 season with an ACL injury suffered in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 2, but stuffed the stat sheet with 114 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and four picks in his prior two years at Duke.
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The Buckeyes obviously believe that the former second-team All-ACC honoree will be back healthy for next year. Funny enough, Moore and Little Jr. combined for eight interceptions in each of their most recent seasons, which is as many as Ohio State had as a team in 2025.
It seems as though the expectation is that McClain, Little Jr. and Moore will be the starting safety trio in 2026.
Hunter Welcing (Tight End | Senior | Northwestern) – 1/12/26
Ohio State cannot get enough of the tight end position, and they are bolstering the room even further with the addition of Welcing. Battling injuries and a crowded depth chart throughout his career, the Illinois native is entering his seventh year of college football, having played in 39 total games.
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2025 was a breakout season for Welcing, who having caught one career pass heading into the campaign finished the year as Northwestern’s third-leading receiver with 28 catches for 296 yards and two touchdowns. Welcing provides a receiving compliment to Williams, who is more of a blocker.
Justyn Martin (Quarterback | Junior | Maryland) – 1/12/26
With Kienholz in the portal and little depth behind Julian Sayin outside of Tavien St. Clair and incoming freshman Luke Fahey, the Buckeyes have added another veteran body to the room in Martin. The former top-200 prospect spent his first two seasons at UCLA, completing 24-of-35 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown in limited reps.
Martin transferred to Maryland this past season, where he competed for the starting job before an injury in the season opener ultimately ended his 2025 campaign. The big-bodied, 6-foot-5 quarterback was a former two-sport, also competing in track and field. Martin will be QB3 behind Sayin and St. Clair in 2026.
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James Smith (Defensive Line| Junior | Alabama)
Smith is a former five-star prospect, ranked as the No. 2 DL and No. 28 player overall in the 2023 class. The 6-foot-3, 297-pound tackle comes to Ohio State having logged 800 snaps with the Crimson Tide on the defensive interior, including over 400 this past season. Smith tallied 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 2025.
The Buckeyes have some big shoes to fill along the defensive line, with Kayden McDonald, Caden Curry and Tywone Malone all off to the NFL and Kenyatta Jackson still undecided. They are off to a good start with the additions of both Smith (No. 4 transfer DL) and Walker (No. 26) inside.
Qua Russaw (Linebacker | Junior | Alabama)
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Coming over as a package deal from Alabama with Smith, Russaw was a highly regarded prospect in his own right as the No. 6 EDGE and No. 33 player nationally in the 2023 class. Russia played over 600 snaps for the Tide over the past two seasons, notching 50 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a pair of interceptions.
While officially listed as the No. 2 linebacker in the transfer portal, Russaw will play as an edge at Ohio State. Pending the decision of Kenyatta Jackson, the Buckeyes could still look to add at least one more defensive lineman via the portal — maybe two.
Transferring Out (27)
Bryson Rodgers (Wide Receiver | Junior) -> Committed to USF
Rodgers was a four-star prospect in the 2023 class, ranked as the No. 51 wide receiver and the No. 361 player overall. In his three seasons at Ohio State, the Florida native hauled in 11 receptions for 125 yards and one touchdown.
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Jelani Thurman (Tight End | Junior) -> Committed to UNC
Thurman was a top-100 prospect in the 2023 class, ranking as the No. 3 tight end and No. 70 overall player per 247Sports. In three years in Columbus, the Georgia native caught 13 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns.
Lincoln Kienholz (Quarterback | Junior) -> Committed to Louisville
Kienholz played sparingly in 2025 as part of Ohio State’s “Presidential Package” to utilize the mobile quarterback’s legs. The 2023 prospect out of South Dakota was the No. 11 QB and No. 138 overall player per 247Sports. He attempted 36 total passes in his career as a Buckeye, completing 21 of them for 250 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 68 yards and two scores.
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Bryce West (Cornerback | Sophomore) -> Committed to Wisconsin
West came to Ohio State by way of Cleveland Glenville as the No. 9 corner and No. 64 overall prospect in the 2024 class. The 5-foot-11 defensive back totaled 120 snaps in two years with the Buckeyes, registering seven solo tackles, one pass breakup and a forced fumble.
C.J. Hicks (LB/EDGE | Senior) -> Committed to USF
Hicks spent four years in Columbus after joining Ohio State as a five-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, ranked as the No. 1 linebacker and No. 7 overall player. Splitting time at linebacker and defensive end, the Archbishop Alter product totaled 42 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks across 44 games.
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Sam Williams-Dixon (Running Back | Sophomore) -> Committed to South Carolina
Joining the Buckeyes in 2024 by way of Pickerington North, Williams-Dixon ranked as the No. 24 player in Ohio and No. 49 athlete. The 5-foot-11 running back tallied 10 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown across two seasons at Ohio State.
Dominic Kirks (Defensive Line | Sophomore)
A late add in the 2024 recruiting class, the Painesville, Ohio native was the No. 24 defensive lineman and No. 163 player nationally. Kirks played 24 total snaps across two seasons in Columbus, notching two tackles.
Logan George (EDGE | Senior) -> Committed to Washington
Originally a member of the 2021 class, George transferred to Ohio State this past offseason by way of Idaho State. The defensive end actually began his career as a walk-on at Utah State before embarking on a two-year mission, transferring to Idaho State in 2023. George was injured for most of the year with the Buckeyes, playing 19 total snaps.
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Damarion Witten (Wide Receiver | Sophomore)
Another Cleveland Glenville product, Witten committed to Ohio State as a tight end in the 2024 class, ranking as the No. 27 TE and No. 16 player in Ohio. The 6-foot-4 pass-catcher eventually switched to wide receiver, but never played a snap for the Buckeyes.
James Peoples (Running Back | Sophomore) -> Committed to Penn State
Entering the 2025 season in the mix for the starting running back job, Peoples ended the season as RB3 behind Bo Jackson and CJ Donaldson. A 2024 recruit, the Texas native was the No. 8 RB and No. 115 player nationally in his class. Peoples totaled 541 yards and five touchdowns across two seasons in Columbus, including a highlight reel hurdle on a touchdown run against UCLA this year.
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Nick McLarty (Punter | Sophomore) -> Committed to Arizona State
A 6-foot-7 punter with a booming leg, McLarty was yet another Australian punter to find his way to Ohio State. Despite a viral social media clip of him punting a ball 90 yards over a stadium last year, McLarty never made it onto the field for the Buckeyes in his two seasons with the program.
Jackson Courville (Kicker | Junior) -> Committed to Tulane
Hitting 26 of his 34 career field goal attempts at Ball State, Courville transferred to Ohio State prior to the 2025 campaign. Even while Jayden Fielding was stinking up the joint, the Buckeyes never let Courville attempt a field goal in a game, only giving him four extra point attempts (4-for-4) against Grambling State.
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Devonate Armstrong (Offensive Line | Sophomore)
A member of the 2024 recruiting class, Armstrong came to Ohio State out of St. Edward, ranking as the No. 30 IOL and No. 18 player in Ohio. The 6-foot-5, 314-pound interior lineman did not play any snaps for the Buckeyes.
Aaron Scott Jr. (Cornerback | Sophomore)
Scott was a five-star prospect in the 2024 class as the No. 6 corner and No. 36 player nationally. The Springfield, Ohio native totaled 11 tackles and two pass breakups in 180 defensive snaps across two seasons, and was a standout for the Buckeyes on special teams.
Mylan Graham (Wide Receiver | Sophomore)
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Ohio State’s second-highest rated receiver in the 2024 class behind Jeremiah Smith, Graham was also a five-star recruit as the No. 7 WR and No. 33 player in the country. The Indiana native caught six passes for 93 yards in 2025, but couldn’t seem to make much headway on the depth chart even with injuries to Smith and Carnell Tate late in the year.
Tegra Tshabola (Offensive Line | Senior) -> Committed to Kentucky
One of the most veteran players on Ohio State’s roster, Tshabola played nearly 1,500 snaps during his four-year career with the Buckeyes. A member of the 2022 class, the Lakota West product was the No. 10 tackle and No. 104 player in his class. Starting at right guard each of the last two seasons, Tshabola was a starting lineman on a national championship Ohio State team.
Justin Terry (Offensive Tackle | Sophomore)
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Beginning his career at West Virginia, Terry transferred to Ohio State prior to the 2025 season. The 6-foot-5, 324-pound reserve lineman appeared in six games for the Buckeyes, totaling 57 snaps — 2o of which came against Grambling.
Quincy Porter (Wide Receiver | Freshman)
Ohio State’s top receiver in the 2025 class, Porter came to Columbus as a five-star prospect ranked as the No. 5 WR and the No. 23 player nationally, as well as the No. 1 player in his home state of New Jersey. The 6-foot-3 blue-chipper saw his freshman season marred by injury, catching four total passes for 59 yards with the Buckeyes.
Jayvon McFadden (Offensive Line | Freshman)
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McFadden was the No. 24 IOL and No. 391 player overall in the 2025 recruiting class. The Maryland native played 15 snaps against Grambling this season — his only game action in his freshman season at Ohio State.
Maxwell Roy (Defensive Line | Freshman) -> Committed to UCLA
A reserve tackle for Ohio State as a freshman, Roy was the No. 33 DL and No. 9 player in Pennsylvania in the 2025 class. The 6-foot-3, 301-pound lineman did not see any game reps with the Buckeyes.
Keenan Nelson Jr. (Safety | Junior)
Tranferring to Ohio State from South Carolina prior to the 2024 season, Nelson Jr. was originally a top-20 safety in the 2022 recruiting class. The defensive back player on special teams for the Buckeyes each of the last two years, but did not take any snaps on defense.
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Jarquez Carter (Defensive Line | Freshman)
A big recruiting win for Ohio State at the time, Carter joined the Buckeyes in the 2025 class as a top-200 player and the No. 18 DL in the country. The Florida native played 51 snaps as a freshman, recording two tackles — both against Grambling.
Ty Howard (Linebacker | Senior)
The older brother of Ohio State running back Bo Jackson, Howard spent his first three seasons in the FCS ranks at Duquesne before transferring to Ohio State prior to the 2025 season. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound linebacker did not see action game action in Columbus.
Malik Hartford (Safety | Junior)
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Entering the 2025 season in a position battle for the starting safety job, Hartford lost out to Jaylen McClain. A highly touted recruit as the No. 5 safety and No. 69 overall player in the 2023 class per 247Sports, the Ohio native played nearly 300 snaps during his three-year stint in Columbus, tallying 20 tackles and three pass breakups.
Bodpegn Miller (Wide Receiver | Freshman)
A do-it-all player at Ontario High School in Ohio, Miller came to Ohio State as a project for Brian Hartline as the No. 11 ATH and No. 284 prospect overall in the 2025 class. A dual-threat quarterback at the prep level, the 6-foot-4 athlete joined the Buckeyes as a wide receiver, but did not see any game action.
Eric Mensah (Defensive Line | Sophomore) -> Committed to Virginia Tech
Mensah was the No. 73 DL and No. 11 player out of Virginia in the 2024 recruiting class. The 6-foot-2, 302-pound lineman appeared in four games at Ohio State, totaling 19 snaps and recording two tackles.
Faheem Delane (Safety | Freshman)
A contributor for Ohio State as a freshman, Delane was the No. 5 safety and No. 55 overall prospect in the 2025 class. Playing behind Caleb Downs, Jaylen McClain and Lorenzo Styles Jr., Delane tallied 81 snaps this season while tallying 12 tackles and one tackle for loss.
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