Updated scholarship count, breakdown after spring transfer portal window
COLUMBUS — The spring transfer portal window is officially closed, and Ohio State wasn’t nearly as active this time around as it was in the winter transfer portal window.
In the winter portal window, Ohio State saw 18 players enter the NCAA Transfer Portal following the 2023 season. That group included the following offensive players: starting quarterback Kyle McCord, tight ends Sam Hart and Joe Royer, wide receivers Noah Rogers and Julian Fleming, running backs Chip Trayanum and Evan Pryor and offensive linemen Victor Cutler and Jakob James.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Buckeyes saw departures from defensive backs Cameron Martinez, Ryan Turner, Kye Stokes and Jyaire Brown, defensive end Omari Abor, defensive tackle Jaden McKenzie and linebacker Reid Carrico. Special-team players Jesse Mirco, the team’s starting punter last year, and kicker Parker Lewis also left the program.
Of course, the spring portal window wasn’t nearly as active. Ohio State lost six members of its roster: third-year wide receiver Kyion Grayes, second-year running back Dallan Hayden, graduate offensive lineman Enokk Vimahi, second-year linebacker Nigel Glover, second-year safety Cedrick Hawkins and graduate safety Ja’Had Carter.
All in all, 24 Ohio State players are now former Ohio State players after the two portal windows. In return, the Buckeyes added a group to the roster included former Kansas State starting quarterback Will Howard, former Alabama starting center Seth McLaughlin, former Alabama starting safety Caleb Downs, former Ole Miss All-SEC running back Quinshon Judkins, former Ohio tight end Will Kacmarek, former five-star quarterback — and Alabama signee — Julian Sayin and former Michigan walk-on linebacker Joey Velazquez.
Now that both transfer portal windows are in the rearview mirror and the roster appears to be set for the 2024 season, Lettermen Row has a scholarship breakdown to give some perspective on where the Buckeyes stand heading into the summer, numbers-wise. Let’s break it down.
Quarterback — 5
The names: Will Howard, Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz, Julian Sayin, Air Noland
Ohio State has stockpiled quarterbacks. All five remained on the roster following the spring transfer portal window. The Buckeyes haven’t named a clear leader to become the starter just yet — but all five will enter the summer and college football season still on the roster. That’s a huge win for the Buckeyes program.
Running back — 4
The names: TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins, James Peoples, Sam Williams-Dixon
With the departure of Dallan Hayden, Ohio State has just four scholarship backs — and talented walk-on TC Caffey, who could become a contributor after an impressive spring. The Buckeyes didn’t have many options available in the transfer portal so the roster will stay at four scholarship backs — unless the staff awards a scholarship to Caffey.
Wide receiver — 8
The names: Emeka Egbuka, Jayden Ballard, Kojo Antwi, Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, Bryson Rodgers, Jeremiah Smith, Mylan Graham
This is the best starting receiver unit in the country. Egbuka, Tate, Inniss ad Smith will be great at the top of the depth chart. With the departure of Kyion Grayes, who transferred to California this spring, the Buckeyes are thin at the wide receiver position when it comes to overall depth. But the top is loaded enough that this shouldn’t be too big of a concern for Brian Hartline and the staff. Incoming freshman Damarion Witten could also become a wide receiver, which would add a body here.
Tight end — 6
The names: Gee Scott Jr., Will Kacmarek, Bennett Christian, Jelani Thurman, Max Leblanc, Damarion Witten
Ohio State likes what it has at tight end — and more help is on the way when Witten and Leblanc arrive this summer. Witten may play some wide receiver, but five tight ends is still enough given the talent in that room for Keenan Bailey.
Offensive line — 16
The names: Seth McLaughlin, Josh Fryar, Donovan Jackson, Zen Michalski, Josh Simmons, Carson Hinzman, Tegra Tshabola, George Fitzpatrick, Luke Montgomery, Miles Walker, Austin Siereveld, Josh Padilla, Ian Moore, Deontae Armstrong, DeVontae Armstrong, Gabe VanSickle
Where to begin… Ohio State has a lot of bodies in the offensive line room, but does it have a starting right guard among the crowd? Enokk Vimahi ejected himself from that competition after transferring to Washington this spring. Capable offensive linemen weren’t really available in the transfer portal, so the starting five is somewhere among this group of 16.
Defensive tackle — 8
The names: Ty Hamilton, Tyleik Williams, Tywone Malone, Hero Kanu, Jason Moore, Kayden McDonald, Will Smith Jr., Eric Mensah
Ohio State developed depth at defensive tackle last season and this spring. It’s starting to show on the field. This unit is loaded. The Buckeyes saw no attrition at the position, which became a big win this spring portal cycle.
Defensive end — 8
The names: Mitchell Melton, Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau, Caden Curry, Kenyatta Jackson, Joshua Mickens, Eddrick Houston, Dominic Kirks
Ohio State will be fine at defensive end as long as the depth pieces stick around behind the top guys. Just like at defensive tackle, attrition could have happened. But it didn’t, and the addition of Dom Kirks this summer will help bolster the bottom-end depth even more than the Buckeyes already have.
Linebacker — 8
The names: Kourt Williams, Cody Simon, C.J. Hicks, Sonny Styles, Gabe Powers, Arvell Reese, Garrett Stover, Payton Pierce
Pierce was out for spring but will return for his first season of action. Whether Kourt Williams can play or his status moving forward is unknown. Nigel Glover joined last year, but he transferred out. Other than Glover’s departure, the Buckeyes kept their linebacker room in tact.
Safety — 6
The names: Lathan Ransom, Caleb Downs, Malik Hartford, Jayden Bonsu, Jaylen McClain, Leroy Roker
This is the only position group on the roster in which Ohio State lost multiple members. Cedrick Hawkins transferred to Central Florida, while Ja’Had Carter has yet to find a home from the transfer portal. Each spent just one year at Ohio State.
Ransom, Hartford and Carter were held out of most contact drills in spring, allowing younger safeties to earn reps. That should bolster depth, but the Buckeyes are quite thin at safety.
Cornerback — 9
The names: Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun, Jordan Hancock, Lorenzo Styles Jr., Jermaine Mathews, Calvin Simpson-Hunt, Bryce West, Aaron Scott Jr., Miles Lockhart
All nine cornerbacks were on campus for the spring, including all three freshmen. This group has talent and depth.
Specialists — 2
Kicker Jayden Fielding is on scholarship, and incoming freshman punter Nick McLarty will be as well. Ohio State is set at specialist.
