Ohio State received some disappointing, albeit expected, news on Sunday that it didn’t make the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes staff, however, doesn’t have time to dwell on the ending to the 11-1 regular season because the transfer portal opened on Monday.
Here’s what we know, what we can expect and what might happen with the Buckeyes during this busy month of player movement.
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Already announced intention to enter the portal
• Kyle McCord, quarterback: This was arguably the biggest news of the first day. McCord started every game for Ohio State this year and threw for 3,170 yards with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. Ohio State is now in the market for a starting quarterback.
• Evan Pryor, running back: Pryor has experienced his fair share of adversity at Ohio State. Injuries have derailed a promising career, and now he’s in the portal after getting buried on a loaded Ohio State depth chart. He played just 30 snaps this season, the fewest among the running backs.
• Julian Fleming, wide receiver: Fleming came to Ohio State as the top receiver in the 2020 class but battled injuries throughout his career. He never made the impact that many expected, recording 963 receiving yards with seven touchdowns in four seasons. He’ll have one year of eligibility left. It’s never ideal to lose a former five-star prospect, but Ohio State has recruited extremely well at the position and has plenty of young talent at wide receiver.
Thank you Buckeye Nation! pic.twitter.com/THoa38vXji
— Julian Fleming (@julian_040) December 4, 2023
• Vic Cutler, offensive lineman: Cutler transferred to Ohio State last offseason from Louisiana-Monroe and was the backup center. He played 24 snaps, with three coming on special teams.
• Jakob James, offensive lineman: This isn’t a big name, but it is a big loss. With Cutler also in the portal, Ohio State doesn’t have a backup center. James was expected to compete for the starting role last offseason but didn’t get healthy until fall camp and lost the battle to underclassman Carson Hinzman. James played 70 snaps this season, but 64 came on special teams.
• Omari Abor, defensive lineman: Abor was a top-100 prospect in the 2022 class who played just 30 snaps this season in six games.
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• Reid Carrico, linebacker: A former top-100 prospect, Carrico had trouble finding a role in Jim Knowles’ two-linebacker system. He played 79 snaps this season.
• Cam Martinez, safety: Martinez was a reserve safety in 2023. He played just 28 snaps over four games and had trouble giving up big plays throughout his career.
• Kye Stokes, safety: Stokes’s future on the depth chart came into question when true freshman Malik Hartford emerged after Josh Proctor went down. Stokes played just 13 snaps this season despite injuries to Proctor and Lathan Ransom.
• Ryan Turner, corner: Turner became the second defensive back to enter the portal when he announced his decision on Sunday. He fell down the depth chart after the emergence of freshman Jermaine Mathews Jr. Turner played 25 snaps this season.
• Jyaire Brown, corner: Brown looked like he was set up to play a key role this year at corner after seeing playing time as a true freshman in 2022. Then he got jumped on the depth chart by Mathews. Brown played just 51 snaps this season.
• Parker Lewis, kicker: Lewis is back in the portal after transferring to Ohio State from USC in the summer of 2022. He lost the starting kicker battle to Jayden Fielding last offseason.
So what’s Ohio State’s QB situation?
With McCord departing, the Buckeyes will look to the portal to find their next quarterback. Ohio State does have two quarterbacks on the roster now, Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz, and is bringing in a five-star freshman in Air Noland, so that gives the Buckeyes some flexibility on who they want to add.
The top player on Ohio State’s list is Washington State transfer Cam Ward. He’s one of the best options in the portal and will have one year of eligibility remaining. Ideally, that could be a bridge year that would allow the Buckeyes to compete at a high level while developing the young players.
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Ward, who began his career at FCS Incarnate Word has completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 6,968 yards, 48 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in two years at Washington State. Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel is arguably the top quarterback in the portal, but the thinking is he will either go out West to play for Oregon or USC or possibly to Mississippi State, where his former offensive coordinator, Jeff Lebby, was just named head coach.
Another possible option is Dante Moore, a former five-star prospect from Detroit who played in nine games for UCLA as a true freshman. He completed 53.4 percent of his passes for 1,610 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
4 other positions of need
Offensive line
For the second straight offseason, the Buckeyes need to address the offensive line. Unlike last year, they need to actually land a few of their top prospects.
The left side should be in solid shape with Josh Simmons and Donovan Jackson (if he comes back). Carson Hinzman will return at center, but with Cutler gone, Ohio State needs to add more depth in the middle, though Josh Fryar could move over to guard.
In an ideal world, Ohio State would add one starter-level player and some quality depth pieces.
There are a few interesting names to watch — Carter Smith (Indiana) and Zeke Correll (Notre Dame).
Defensive line, specifically defensive end
We’re going to work with the assumption that J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer are entering the NFL Draft. Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson will be next up to fill the edge rusher roles. They’ve shown flashes of talent, but it hasn’t been enough to confidently know what their third-year jump will look like. And behind them, Ohio State’s edge rushing depth is a mystery.
The Buckeyes have missed on elite edge rushers in the last few high school recruiting cycles, and it’s coming back to bite them now. They can’t afford to miss in the portal. Ohio State needs to add depth but also find an impact player who can compete with Curry and Jackson for playing time.
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The interior is in better shape. If Tyleik Williams and Mike Hall go pro, which isn’t a sure thing, Ohio State will look to Ty Hamilton, Hero Kanu, Jaden McKenzie, Tywone Malone and others to step up.
Ohio State has offered a scholarship to Middle Tennessee State defensive tackle transfer Marley Cook.
Safety
Ohio State is losing depth at safety with Stokes and Martinez entering the portal, and the Buckeyes are also losing Proctor to the NFL. Ransom is a question mark, as well. He had a great season with 35 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception, but he missed the last four games with an injury. If he returns, that’ll be a big boost.
Hartford and Sonny Styles will be back with significant snap experience, and you can add in Ja’Had Carter if he can remain healthy. Still, Ohio State needs some bodies at the position. If Ransom leaves, the Buckeyes may need an impact player.
Linebacker
Cody Simon and C.J. Hicks should be the guys to lead the two-man linebacker scheme in 2023 — if Steele Chambers leaves and Simon stays. Carrico’s departure just heightens the need to add a linebacker. It’s not the most important position, but the Buckeyes could use more depth, especially with Arvell Reese moving to defensive end.
(Photo of Cam Ward: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
