Ohio State Gets More Bad News in the College Football Transfer Portal on Thursday
The College Football Transfer Portal has become one of the most influential forces in shaping team rosters, and for many programs, it’s been a double-edged sword. For Ohio State, the nation’s perennial powerhouse, Thursday brought a string of bad news regarding players leaving the program. In a sport where retaining talent is critical to continued success, the Buckeyes’ difficulties in the transfer portal could have a significant impact on their aspirations in 2025 and beyond.
While Ohio State is a program that has built its dominance through recruiting and player development, the transfer portal has also played an increasing role in the evolution of their roster. For years, the Buckeyes have been a destination for top talent from high school, but the rise of the portal has made it a place of both opportunity and uncertainty.
On Thursday, Ohio State found itself in the midst of a tumultuous moment in its offseason, with multiple players announcing their decision to enter the portal. For a program that has been known for its depth and talent, these departures could create voids in key areas that need immediate attention as the Buckeyes prepare for the 2025 season. But who exactly left the team, and how will Ohio State respond?
1. Departure of Key Players
The most significant departures for Ohio State on Thursday involved a pair of players who had made important contributions during the 2024 season. The first was Jaden Ballard, a wide receiver who had been part of the rotation in the Buckeyes’ high-powered offense. Ballard had shown flashes of potential in his time at Ohio State, but injuries and inconsistent play limited his ability to secure a starting role. Nonetheless, his decision to enter the transfer portal leaves Ohio State without one more experienced receiver on the roster, particularly as the team prepares for the future without star wideout Marvin Harrison Jr..
While the Buckeyes still have a wealth of talent at the wide receiver position, Ballard’s departure represents a loss of depth and experience. Ohio State will now need to count on players like Emeka Egbuka, Julian Fleming, and a handful of promising freshmen to take on more prominent roles in the passing game. Though there’s no doubt about the potential of the wide receiver corps, losing a player like Ballard still stings, as the team loses one of the few veterans at that position.
In addition to Ballard, Ohio State also saw Dallan Hayden, a promising running back, announce his decision to leave the program. Hayden, who had impressed during his limited opportunities in the 2024 season, had shown he could be an explosive weapon in the Buckeyes’ backfield. His departure could create a hole in the running back rotation, leaving Miyan Williams and TreVeyon Henderson as the likely featured backs for the team in 2025.
Hayden’s decision to leave comes at a crucial time for the Buckeyes. While Henderson and Williams are both proven commodities, they’ve also dealt with injuries throughout their careers. The loss of Hayden could leave Ohio State with less depth in the backfield heading into a season where health will be a major concern for the team.
2. The Impact on Ohio State’s Recruiting Strategy
When a program like Ohio State loses players to the transfer portal, it doesn’t simply mean a loss in talent. It also creates an immediate need to adjust recruiting strategies and fill the gaps left by departures. For the Buckeyes, the losses of Ballard and Hayden are problematic because they occur at positions of strength. Ohio State’s wide receiver room is filled with talent, but losing an experienced player like Ballard could slow the development of younger players.
At running back, while Ohio State has a pair of talented backs in Williams and Henderson, depth is crucial for keeping players fresh and healthy throughout the long season. With Hayden’s departure, the Buckeyes may need to shift their focus to securing more help in the backfield, either through recruiting or through targeting experienced players in the transfer portal.
Ohio State has the resources to rebound from this setback. The program is a blue-chip destination for high school talent, and with their consistent success on the field, they have the ability to replenish the roster with top-tier players. But the transfer portal has become increasingly unpredictable, and the decisions of key players like Ballard and Hayden serve as a reminder that success in college football is contingent on many factors, including retention of current talent.
3. Ohio State’s Depth Chart and the Need for Immediate Development
One of the key aspects of Ohio State’s success in recent years has been its depth at nearly every position. The Buckeyes have always had the luxury of rotating players in and out of the lineup to keep legs fresh and mitigate injuries. But with multiple players leaving the team in the transfer portal, that depth will now be tested.
At wide receiver, as previously mentioned, Ohio State still has several talented players, including Egbuka and Fleming, who have been key contributors over the last few years. However, the loss of Ballard leaves a gap in terms of experienced options. The Buckeyes will need to rely on younger players like Carnell Tate, Brandon Innis, and Noah Rogers to step up quickly and make an impact. While all three have the potential to be stars, the learning curve can be steep for freshmen, especially in a high-powered offense like Ohio State’s.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Buckeyes have also seen some key losses through the portal, although not as significant as the departures on offense. However, even the defensive side of the ball must deal with a degree of turnover. Ohio State’s defense has improved under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, but with players leaving, it will be crucial for the next wave of defenders to continue that growth. Whether it’s in the secondary or along the defensive line, Ohio State will need to integrate new players while maintaining the high standards set by past Buckeyes defenses.
4. Recruiting and Transfer Portal Adjustments for the Future
While the transfer portal has created significant challenges for Ohio State, it has also provided opportunities. The Buckeyes will need to be aggressive in pursuing new talent, both from high school and from the portal, to address the departures. At the wide receiver position, Ohio State could look for immediate contributors who can help fill the void left by Ballard. Whether it’s a veteran receiver with experience or an incoming freshman who can make an immediate impact, the Buckeyes need to add depth to the position to ensure that they don’t fall behind in a conference as competitive as the Big Ten.
Additionally, the running back position could also be an area where Ohio State looks to make a move in the portal. While Henderson and Williams remain one of the most talented duos in the nation, the loss of Hayden means that the Buckeyes will have less margin for error in the event of an injury. Securing another quality running back could add the necessary depth to keep the offense firing on all cylinders.
On defense, Ohio State could also target players who can provide immediate contributions, particularly in the secondary. With a few key departures from the defense, Knowles will be looking for new leaders to emerge, and adding experienced players from the transfer portal could help expedite that process.
5. Looking Ahead: Can Ohio State Bounce Back?
Despite the challenges presented by the departures of Ballard and Hayden, Ohio State remains a powerhouse in college football. The Buckeyes have a stable coaching staff, a highly ranked recruiting class, and one of the best development programs in the nation. However, losing key players to the portal at positions of need is always a setback. Ohio State will need to move quickly to find replacements, whether through the portal or through the development of younger players.
The 2025 season will undoubtedly be an important one for Ohio State. With a new starting quarterback taking over, the loss of depth in certain positions could prove to be a test of the team’s resilience. But if any program has the resources and talent to weather the storm, it’s Ohio State. Time will tell how the Buckeyes respond to the latest setbacks, but with their championship pedigree and the constant influx of elite talent, they are more than capable of rising to the occasion and making another run at a national title.
As Ohio State looks to bounce back from these transfer portal losses, one thing is clear: this team isn’t going anywhere. The Buckeyes will remain a national title contender for the foreseeable future. And while the losses on Thursday may sting, Ohio State’s ability to reload and adapt is what makes them a perennial powerhouse.
