Ohio State Buckeyes Now Have the Final Piece They Need Waiting in the Spring Transfer Portal
As spring football reaches its most critical turning point, the Ohio State Buckeyes are on the cusp of finalizing one of the most complete rosters in the nation. With spring practices wrapping up and the portal heating up for one last chaotic burst of activity, there’s a clear consensus inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center: the Buckeyes are one elite addition away from cementing themselves as national title favorites.
And that final piece? It’s waiting in the spring transfer portal.
The timing couldn’t be better. Head coach Ryan Day and his newly empowered staff have already addressed most of their offseason needs with a near-flawless approach to roster management. Now, with the portal window closing soon and just a few top names still uncommitted, Ohio State is poised to strike once more—and potentially finalize a championship-caliber team for 2025.
By any metric, Ohio State has had one of the most aggressive and successful offseasons in all of college football. From retaining marquee talent like TreVeyon Henderson and Emeka Egbuka to adding proven veterans like quarterback Will Howard and safety Caleb Downs, the Buckeyes have operated with clear intention: get tougher, get older, and get over the hump that’s kept them just shy of the national title.
Under new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and with increased autonomy for offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, the Buckeyes believe they’ve built the foundation needed to dethrone Michigan and return to the College Football Playoff.
“This is the most complete team we’ve had since 2019,” one high-ranking staff member said following the spring game. “We’re physical, we’re experienced, and we’ve got depth at almost every position.”
Almost.
According to multiple team sources and insiders close to the program, Ohio State has zeroed in on two primary positions for one final portal splash: interior defensive line and cornerback.
The Buckeyes return a formidable front seven led by Jack Sawyer, JT Tuimoloau, and rising linebacker stars CJ Hicks and Sonny Styles. But with the departure of Mike Hall Jr. to the NFL, there’s a noticeable void in terms of disruptive interior presence. The staff is looking for a game-wrecking defensive tackle who can push the pocket, command double teams, and open lanes for Ohio State’s edge defenders.
On the back end, the need is more about depth and versatility than desperation. Denzel Burke is expected to be among the top corners in the country, and Davison Igbinosun has shown significant growth. But should either player go down, or if the Buckeyes want to run more complex packages, another experienced corner would give Knowles the flexibility needed to dominate elite passing attacks.
Fortunately for Ohio State, the spring portal cycle has revealed several intriguing options.
Bledsoe entered the portal after Arkansas underwent staff changes, and he fits the mold Ohio State covets. At 6-foot-4, 310 pounds, Bledsoe logged 6.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks last season in the SEC. He’s not a household name, but scouts and analysts note his quick first step and ability to split double teams.
He’s also mature, having started 25 career games. With immediate eligibility and just one year remaining, he’d be a perfect plug-and-play addition to a Buckeye defense seeking dominance in the trenches.
The former five-star Texas corner shocked Longhorns fans by entering the portal in April. Sources say academic concerns weren’t the issue—it’s all about opportunity and scheme fit. At Texas, Muhammad played sparingly behind a deep cornerback room. At Ohio State, he’d compete for a starting role and offer elite athleticism and ball skills.
Muhammad reportedly has Ohio State high on his list, though Alabama and Oregon are in the mix.
A run-stuffing behemoth who battled injuries, Simmons has SEC battle scars and would provide an immediate boost to Ohio State’s goal-line and short-yardage defense. He’s not as explosive as Bledsoe, but he’s powerful, disciplined, and fits the Big Ten’s physical style.
Let’s take a step back. Ohio State already boasts:
- A veteran QB in Will Howard with over 30 career starts and Big 12 championship pedigree.
- A loaded offensive line that returned key starters and added depth through the portal.
- Arguably the best WR room in the country, led by Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, and five-star freshman Jeremiah Smith.
- Two NFL-bound running backs in TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins.
- A defense ranked top-five in 2024 returning most of its production.
- Chip Kelly calling plays, promising a more physical and innovative offensive identity.
The only missing link? That one defensive x-factor who can elevate them from elite to unstoppable.
“Championship teams don’t just win with talent,” said former Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis, now on the Buckeyes’ staff. “They win with leadership, physicality, and answers when things go wrong. We’ve got 95% of that figured out. That last 5%—we’re going to find it in the portal.”
Of course, no offseason at Ohio State is complete without mentioning “The Game.”
Ohio State has lost three straight to Michigan, each time failing to match the Wolverines’ toughness at the point of attack. Ryan Day has taken heat for his conservative approach in those matchups, and the coaching staff overhaul this offseason was, in part, a response to those failures.
With Jim Harbaugh now in the NFL and Michigan facing significant transition, 2025 is viewed as Ohio State’s year to strike. The pressure is immense. The booster support is at an all-time high. And the locker room is laser-focused.
“We haven’t forgotten anything,” said Tuimoloau during spring camp. “This is our team. This is our year. We’re not letting it slip again.”
That mindset adds urgency to the final portal move. It’s not just about adding depth—it’s about building a roster that can line up against the best and dominate.
Ohio State has made massive strides in modernizing its approach to NIL and recruiting. The Buckeye-focused NIL collective “The Foundation” helped secure returning stars with strategic incentives, while boosters and alumni have aligned behind Day’s vision more than ever before.
Unlike some programs that chase high school five-stars only to lose them later, Ohio State has built a hybrid strategy:
- Retain key veterans with NIL support
- Add plug-and-play veterans via the portal
- Use elite high school recruiting to develop long-term depth
That strategy has led to a roster filled with both NFL talent and college football experience. Now, with portal NIL deals happening in real time, the Buckeyes are in position to outbid most competitors if the right target enters.
The NCAA’s spring transfer portal window officially closes on May 1. That means players must enter the portal by that date, though they can still commit afterward.
For Ohio State, that means the final days of April are critical. Expect Day, defensive line coach Larry Johnson, and director of player personnel Mark Pantoni to ramp up their efforts in the next 48–72 hours. Whether it’s Bledsoe, Muhammad, or another surprise name, the staff knows the stakes.
“There’s no panic,” one staffer said. “We’re not shopping out of desperation. We’re shopping for a luxury piece that turns a Mercedes into a Ferrari.”
Even if Ohio State swings and misses in the portal, the roster remains one of the best in America. The defensive line rotation still includes veterans like Ty Hamilton and Tyleik Williams. The secondary still features multiple NFL-bound talents. And the offense? Loaded.
But when margins are razor-thin—like they were against Georgia in the 2022 CFP semifinal or Michigan last fall—one player can make the difference.
A strip-sack. A goal-line stop. A deflected pass on third down. That’s what Ohio State wants from this last addition.
And if they land it, look out.
It’s not hyperbole to say this might be the best Ohio State team in the Ryan Day era. It’s deeper than the 2019 squad, more experienced than the 2021 team, and more complete than any roster in the country heading into 2025.
The quarterback room is stable. The trenches are strong. The weapons are lethal. The coaching staff is reloaded and aggressive.
Add one more defensive monster from the portal, and Ohio State won’t just be playoff-bound. They’ll be the team to beat.
The Buckeyes have everything but the cherry on top. With days left in the spring transfer portal window, Ohio State’s coaching staff is hunting for the last key that could unlock a national championship.
And it’s out there—waiting.
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