The landscape of college football is evolving rapidly. To remain in the national title hunt, top programs must now balance traditional recruiting with aggressive use of the transfer portal.
The Ohio State Buckeyes and head coach Ryan Day embraced that reality last season, turning to the portal to address key needs. With that in mind, here are three players the Buckeyes should target this year.
The Ohio native is expected to be one of the more sought-after names in this year’s transfer portal cycle. Chaz Coleman, a former Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end, was viewed as one of the program’s most promising young pieces before entering the portal.
He appeared in five games in his freshman season for the Nittany Lions, recording eight tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
A Warren, Ohio, native, Coleman has long shown interest in Ohio State. The Buckeyes did not extend an offer until after he committed to Penn State, and he chose to honor that pledge at the time.
Ohio State is now reportedly showing strong interest, especially with starting defensive end Caden Curry expected to enter the NFL Draft and Kenyatta Jackson Jr.’s draft status still uncertain.
The junior wide receiver enjoyed a breakout season for the Colorado Buffaloes, emerging as one of the team’s most productive offensive weapons. In his first season with significant playing time, Omarion Miller recorded 45 receptions for 808 yards and eight touchdowns.
Even with inconsistent quarterback play, Miller was still able to produce for Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, he would be a great get for Day and the Buckeyes offense.
The bigger question is whether the Buckeyes would look to the transfer portal for a receiver at all. Ohio State has never added a wideout via the portal under Brian Hartline, but with his departure, that approach could shift. With Carnell Tate expected to enter the NFL Draft and Bryson Rodgers planning to transfer, there may be an opening for an experienced option.
While Ohio State is well stocked at the position and continues to recruit at a high level in the 2026 class, adding a veteran presence could still make sense. The coaching staff must evaluate whether the developing younger receivers are ready to take on significant roles behind Jeremiah Smith.
As they did last season, Ohio State is expected to explore adding a running back through the transfer portal. Even if Ohio State doesn’t necessarily need another back, adding a proven difference-maker makes sense, especially after the success of pairing Quinshon Judkins with TreVeyon Henderson in 2024.
One name generating buzz is Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh. In his sophomore season, Baugh rushed for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns, emerging as a reliable and productive option in the Gators’ backfield.
Baugh would be a strong fit alongside Bo Jackson in Ohio State’s offense, offering both production and physicality. Although he has not officially entered the transfer portal, Ohio State is rumored to have significant interest. If Baugh does become available, the Buckeyes would likely pursue him aggressively.
If Ohio State wants to remain a perennial national title contender, continued success in the transfer portal is essential. As an NFL pipeline, the Buckeyes must consistently replace departing production with a blend of proven transfers and developing in-house talent.
Given the strength of the Ohio State brand, the program is expected to attract significant interest from experienced portal players. With the portal officially opening on January 2, expect the Buckeyes to be linked to more names as entries begin.
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