How much help did Ohio State get in the transfer portal? Buckeyes have few question marks

Ohio State University’s football program has long been one of the premier programs in college football. Under the leadership of head coach Ryan Day, the Buckeyes have consistently contended for Big Ten championships and made deep runs in the College Football Playoff (CFP). One of the key elements to Ohio State’s continued success has been their ability to recruit elite talent and develop players both within the program and through the transfer portal. While Ohio State’s roster is generally viewed as one of the most complete and talented in the country, the 2025 season has posed a few interesting questions that need addressing.

As college football has become increasingly reliant on the transfer portal for roster building, Ohio State has been no exception. The portal has allowed programs to fill gaps, add depth, and address areas of need in ways that the traditional recruiting process could not. For a team like Ohio State, which already has a high level of talent on its roster, the portal has been used strategically to enhance their already strong roster. This article takes a detailed look at how much help Ohio State has received from the transfer portal, how they have addressed key needs, and why the program has very few question marks heading into the 2025 season.

The State of Ohio State’s Roster Going Into 2025

Before diving into the impact of the transfer portal, it’s important to understand the state of Ohio State’s roster heading into the 2025 season. The Buckeyes have been one of the top recruiting programs in college football for the last decade, and their depth chart is consistently filled with elite players, many of whom are future NFL prospects. Ohio State’s recruiting efforts under Ryan Day have resulted in a strong mix of top-tier players, and the team’s starting positions are largely secure.

However, despite the abundance of talent, there are still a few question marks. These questions tend to revolve around areas where the team either lost significant production or experienced unexpected departures, whether due to injury, graduation, or the NFL draft. Additionally, with Ohio State constantly competing at the highest levels, there’s always the need for depth, even in areas where the team is already solid.

Strategic Use of the Transfer Portal: Filling Gaps and Addressing Depth

The transfer portal, which has dramatically reshaped college football rosters, has been a tool that Ohio State has used sparingly but strategically. Unlike some programs that rely heavily on transfers to fill starting roles, Ohio State has typically used the portal to supplement existing talent and address areas of concern. For the 2025 season, Ohio State’s transfer portal activity has been mostly aimed at solidifying depth and addressing a few key needs, rather than overhauling its starting lineup.

1. Quarterback Depth: Adding Kyle McCord

One area where Ohio State found itself needing some help in the transfer portal was at quarterback. While the Buckeyes had highly touted starter C.J. Stroud (who entered the NFL draft), the team needed to ensure that it had capable backup options ready to step into a potential starting role. The loss of Stroud left a noticeable gap, and while Ohio State was confident in its current quarterbacks, having a veteran presence would always be beneficial.

This led to the acquisition of quarterback Kyle McCord, a transfer from a smaller program but with considerable upside. McCord’s experience in high-pressure situations, as well as his ability to develop under Ryan Day’s tutelage, provided Ohio State with an excellent security blanket. Having an experienced backup quarterback is crucial, especially in a conference as competitive as the Big Ten, where injuries to key players can derail a team’s season in an instant.

While McCord may not necessarily be in line for the starting role right away, he provides Ohio State with both a quality backup and someone capable of stepping into a larger role if the situation requires it. His addition also gives the Buckeyes flexibility and depth at one of the most important positions in college football.

2. Offensive Line: Adding Experience

Another area where Ohio State used the transfer portal was along the offensive line. The Buckeyes have historically boasted one of the most powerful and effective offensive lines in college football, but the team’s line heading into the 2025 season featured a mix of experience and inexperience. While there were still some elite players along the line, Ohio State looked to the portal to add a couple of key pieces to provide experience and depth.

The addition of veteran offensive linemen, specifically a few who had started at major programs, bolstered Ohio State’s already solid line. These players brought a wealth of experience from their previous programs, allowing them to contribute right away, potentially compete for starting spots, and provide leadership to the younger players in the unit.

The offensive line is critical to Ohio State’s success, especially given the team’s emphasis on running the ball and protecting the quarterback. By adding players with experience, Ohio State ensured that its line would be deep enough to handle the rigors of the Big Ten schedule, which often features physical, grind-it-out games.

3. Defensive Line: Improving Depth and Pass Rush

Ohio State’s defensive line has been one of the most formidable in college football in recent years, producing some of the best pass rushers in the nation. However, as key players like defensive end Zach Harrison departed for the NFL, Ohio State needed to look to the transfer portal to bolster the defensive line and maintain its ability to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

The Buckeyes landed a promising defensive lineman from the portal in the form of a graduate transfer who has experience as a disruptor at the line of scrimmage. This addition not only adds depth to a critical position but provides a player who has already proven his ability to make an impact at the college level. The defensive line is crucial to Ohio State’s defensive scheme, and ensuring that the team has a deep rotation to keep players fresh throughout the season is important.

Key Areas Where Ohio State Did Not Need Portal Help

While Ohio State did make a few key additions through the transfer portal, the team entered the 2025 season with very few glaring weaknesses. Here’s a look at some key areas where Ohio State did not need to dip into the transfer portal, largely due to the depth and talent already present on the roster.

1. Wide Receiver

Ohio State has been a factory for elite wide receivers, and the 2025 season is no different. The team boasts a loaded wide receiver corps, including players like Marvin Harrison Jr., one of the top receivers in the nation. With such an abundance of talent at the position, there was no need for Ohio State to address wide receiver through the portal.

Ohio State’s wide receivers are consistently among the best in the country, and the 2025 roster is stacked with future NFL talent. The program’s wide receivers are known for their ability to stretch the field and make explosive plays, and they’ve already proven to be one of the program’s strongest units.

2. Running Back

Ohio State’s running back room is another area where the team is incredibly deep. With players like TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams, the Buckeyes have one of the best backfields in the country. The team’s emphasis on the run game has been a key element of their offense, and the running backs already on the roster have proven to be more than capable.

Because of this, Ohio State did not need to bring in any transfer running backs, as the existing talent in the backfield was more than sufficient to maintain the team’s offensive identity.

3. Linebacker and Secondary

Ohio State’s linebacker corps and secondary have been strong for several seasons, and there were few concerns entering the 2025 season. The team boasts top-tier talent at both positions, with several players already viewed as potential future NFL draft picks. Ohio State’s secondary, in particular, has been a focal point for the program under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, and the team’s defensive backfield is loaded with talent.

While there is always room for competition at every position, the team’s linebacker and secondary units did not require significant upgrades via the transfer portal. Ohio State’s depth and the development of players within the program ensured that these positions were in a strong position heading into 2025.

A Team Poised for Success in 2025

Ohio State’s ability to recruit top-tier talent, both through traditional recruiting and the transfer portal, has placed them in a position to once again contend for national championships in 2025. While they didn’t overhaul their roster via the portal, the Buckeyes made targeted, strategic additions to fill key gaps and add depth where it was needed. With strong quarterback play, a dominant offensive line, and a defense that consistently generates pressure, Ohio State’s chances for success in 2025 look incredibly strong.

The few question marks that remained on the roster were addressed through the transfer portal with the addition of experienced players, ensuring that the Buckeyes will be ready to compete at the highest level. The combination of elite recruiting and savvy portal acquisitions has left Ohio State in an enviable position, with a roster that can challenge for both Big Ten and national titles.

As the 2025 season approaches, it’s clear that Ohio State remains one of the premier programs in college football. With a few key portal additions and an already stacked roster, the Buckeyes are primed for another successful campaign. The transfer portal, used wisely, has only strengthened their pursuit of excellence, and it’s a tool that will continue to play a key role in their championship aspirations moving forward.