Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz (3) throws balls at practice on Dec. 26, 2025. Credit: Cassandra D’Angelo | Freelance Photographer
Ohio State’s New Year’s Eve loss to Miami marked the end of the Buckeyes’ 2025 season.
It also signaled the start of transfer portal season in Columbus.
Under the updated transfer portal schedule, players can officially enter or join new programs from Jan. 2-16, replacing last season’s December window.
Below is a live list of Ohio State’s incoming and outgoing transfers.
Additions (11)
Mason Williams – TE (Ohio University)
Ohio State has landed its first commitment of the 2026 transfer portal cycle.
Mason Williams, a tight end who spent the past three seasons at Ohio University, will join the Buckeyes with two years of eligibility remaining.
Williams recorded 48 receptions for 565 yards and six touchdowns during his time with the Bobcats, earning first-team All-MAC honors this past season.
Ohio State adds Williams amid turnover at the tight end position. Will Kacmarek, another Ohio transfer, is set to enter the NFL draft after exhausting his eligibility, while Jelani Thurman announced earlier this week that he will enter the transfer portal.
Williams is a three-star prospect in the portal, according to 247 Sports.
Dalton Riggs – LS (USF/BYU)
Former USF and BYU long snapper Dalton Riggs has become Ohio State’s second commit in the 2026 transfer portal.
With long snappers John Ferlmann and Colin Johnson graduating, Riggs is expected to take over the role in 2026.
Riggs will have one year of eligibility remaining.
John Walker – DT (UCF)
Former UCF defensive tackle John Walker has announced he will be committing to Ohio State.
A four-star prospect in 247 Sports’ transfer portal rankings, Walker had interest from the Buckeyes coming out of high school in 2023, but he ultimately chose to play for the Knights.
Walker appeared in 13 games as a freshman, totaling 24 tackles and five tackles for loss. After missing the entire 2024 season with a leg injury, he came back in 2025 with 40 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble.
The defensive tackle has two years of eligibility remaining and is expected to provide depth at the defensive tackle position, where All-American Kayden McDonald is still deciding whether to enter his name in the 2026 NFL draft.
Devin McCuin – WR (UTSA)
After losing four wide receivers to the transfer portal – Bryson Rodgers, Mylan Graham, Damarion Witten and Quincy Porter Jr. – along with Carnell Tate’s declaration for the NFL draft, Ohio State added to its depleted wide receiver room Wednesday.
Devin McCuin, a 6-foot-5, 195-pound receiver from the University of Texas at San Antonio, caught 152 passes for 1,696 yards and 16 touchdowns across three seasons with the Roadrunners.
McCuin has one year of eligibility remaining and is rated a three-star prospect in the 247 Sports transfer portal rankings.
Known for his speed, McCuin has been timed at 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Christian Alliegro – LB (Wisconsin)
Former Wisconsin linebacker Christian Alliegro has committed to Ohio State, according to On3.
Alliegro appeared in all 12 games for the Wisconsin Badgers during his sophomore season in 2024, starting three contests and totaling 66 tackles and three sacks. His junior season began strongly, as he recorded 49 tackles and four sacks through seven games before suffering a broken arm against the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The linebacker adds depth to an Ohio State unit expected to return Riley Pettijohn and Payton Pierce. Alliegro will have one year of eligibility remaining and is rated a three-star prospect in 247Sports’ transfer portal rankings.
Earl Little Jr – S (Florida State)
After losing two-time All-American Caleb Downs to the NFL draft, Ohio State has turned to the transfer portal to fill the void.
Safety Earl Little Jr. announced Sunday that he will transfer to Ohio State, becoming the Buckeyes’ sixth incoming portal addition this cycle.
A second-team All-ACC selection in 2025, Little led Florida State?with 76 tackles and added four interceptions in his first season as a full-time starter.
Little, a four-star recruit in the 2022 class, began his career at Alabama?before transferring to Florida State after struggling to crack the depth chart. He will have one year of eligibility remaining and is rated as a four-star prospect in the transfer portal rankings.
Terry Moore – S (Duke)
Ohio State has added its second ACC safety in two days.
Terry Moore, a 2024 second-team All-ACC selection in 2024, has committed to the Buckeyes Monday.
Moore, who did not play in 2025 due to an ACL tear, recorded 71 tackles and four interceptions as a junior.
The safety will have one year of eligibility left.
Hunter Welcing – TE (Northwestern)
Ohio State has added a second tight end in the transfer portal.
Hunter Welcing announced Monday that he would be joining Williams in the 2026 recruiting class.
A seventh-year senior, Welcing had his breakout season in 2025 for the Wildcats, catching 28 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns and earning honorable mention All-Big Ten.
Welcing is a three-star prospect in the transfer portal rankings.
Justyn Martin – QB (Maryland)
The Buckeyes have added depth to their quarterback room.
Justyn Martin, a former UCLA and Maryland quarterback, announced that he would be joining Julian Sayin, Tavien St. Clair and freshman Luke Fahey as the fourth Ohio State quarterback Monday.
A four-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, Martin has been a career-long backup at both schools he has attended. He is expected to have two years of eligibility remaining.
?James Smith – DT (Alabama)
Ohio State has added the No.1-ranked defensive tackle in the 2026 transfer portal.
James Smith, a former five-star prospect in the class of 2023, is the seventh-ranked overall player in the transfer portal.
In his junior season, Smith recorded 26 total tackles and 2.5 sacks for the Crimson Tide, starting 12 out of 15 games.
Known as a run-stopper, Smith becomes the second defensive tackle in the 2026 Ohio State portal class, along with Walker. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Smith is a five-star prospect in the transfer portal rankings.
Qua Russaw – EDGE (Alabama)
Along with Smith, Qua Russaw will also come from Alabama to Columbus for the 2026 season.
A four-star prospect in the transfer portal rankings, Russaw fills a significant need for the Buckeyes at defensive end following the graduation of Caden Curry and the transfer of CJ Hicks.
Russaw’s 2025 season was cut short by a foot injury, but he posted his most productive campaign in 2024, when he totaled 36 tackles, one sack and two interceptions. He will have two years of eligibility remaining at Ohio State.
Departures (32)
Bryson Rodgers – WR
Bryson Rodgers became the first Buckeye to announce his intent to transfer, with reports surfacing Dec. 18 that he would enter the portal.
A junior from Tampa, Florida, Rodgers was a four-star recruit in Ohio State’s 2023 class. Over three seasons, he appeared in seven games, recording 11 receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown.
Primarily a slot receiver, Rodgers spent much of his career behind veteran wideouts Emeka Egbuka and Brandon Inniss. Inniss is expected to return for his senior season in 2025.
Jelani Thurman – TE
Minutes after Ohio State’s 24-13 Cotton Bowl loss to Miami, it was reported that tight end Jelani Thurman would enter the transfer portal.
Thurman, also a member of the 2023 recruiting class, will have two years of eligibility remaining. In three seasons with the Buckeyes, he totaled 13 receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns.
At 6-foot-6, Thurman was the No. 3-rated tight end in his class, possessing a rare blend of size and athleticism. Despite his potential, he never progressed beyond a rotational role in Ohio State’s offense.
Lincoln Kienholz – QB
Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz announced Thursday that he would be the third Buckeye to enter the portal.
A junior, Kienholz appeared in nine games, throwing for 250 yards and one touchdown while adding two rushing scores. A former four-star recruit, he notably stepped in during the 2023 Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri after starter Devin Brown suffered an injury, throwing for 86 yards as a true freshman.
Kienholz returned for his third season, hoping to win the starting job, but ultimately lost the quarterback competition to Julian Sayin prior to the start of the season.
Bryce West – CB
Bryce West became the fourth Ohio State player to announce his departure Thursday.
A Cleveland native and four-star recruit in the 2024 class, West appeared in eight games as a true freshman, recording 10 tackles and forcing a fumble.
He contributed primarily on special teams, with limited snaps as a rotational nickel corner in the Buckeyes’ defense.
CJ Hicks – LB/DE
After months of speculation, CJ Hicks officially announced his intention to transfer Thursday.
A five-star linebacker in the 2022 class, Hicks recorded 42 tackles and two sacks across four seasons at Ohio State. He served as a rotational linebacker during his first three years before transitioning to defensive end ahead of his senior season.
The position change did not pan out, as Hicks appeared in just three games before reports indicated he would sit out to preserve eligibility and prepare for the portal. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Mason Maggs – QB
Walk-on quarterback Mason Maggs announced Thursday that he will enter the transfer portal.
A Dublin, Ohio, native, Maggs did not appear in any games during his four seasons at Ohio State and was a healthy scratch for all 14 contests this season. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Sam Dixon – RB
Sam Dixon announced his intention to transfer Thursday.
The running back entered the transfer portal last year but ultimately decided to return to Ohio State for the 2025 season.
Dixon carried the ball 10 times for 62 yards and one touchdown in two seasons as a Buckeye. He appeared in one game this season, rushing three times for nine yards and a score against Grambling State.
Dominic Kirks – DE
Hours after Hicks announced his departure, Dominic Kirks became the second Ohio State defensive end to enter the transfer portal.
A four-star recruit in the 2024 class, Kirks appeared in one game this season, recording a tackle against Grambling State.
Kirks redshirted his freshman season and will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Logan George – DE
Logan George became the third Buckeye defensive end to announce he will be finding a new home Thursday.
A junior from Pocatello, Idaho, George transferred to Ohio State from FCS Idaho State, where he recorded 6.5 sacks in his final season as a Bengal.
George was expected to make a push for a rotational role on the defensive line, but was ultimately surpassed on the depth chart by Zion Grady.
The defensive end recorded two tackles for the Buckeyes in two games.
Damarion Witten – WR
Damarion Witten became the fifth Ohio State offensive player to announce he would enter the transfer portal Thursday.
A three-star recruit in the class of 2024, Witten did not record any statistics in his two years as a Buckeye.
Standing at 6-foot-3, Witten was the nation’s 25th-ranked tight end coming out of high school but was converted to wide receiver at Ohio State.
Dianté Griffin – CB
Dianté Griffin becomes the second walk-on, following Maggs, to announce his intention to enter the transfer portal as a graduate transfer.
Across four seasons with the Buckeyes, Griffin recorded one tackle.
Bukari Miles Jr. – CB
Along with Griffin, walk-on cornerback Bukari Miles Jr. also intends to transfer.
Miles Jr. did not record any statistics in his two seasons with the Buckeyes and will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.
James Peoples – RB
James Peoples becomes the second Buckeye running back to announce his intention to transfer.
A four-star recruit in the 2024 class, Peoples was expected to push for the starting running back role entering his sophomore season. Heading into the spring game, it was anticipated that Peoples and West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson would help replace the production of TreyVeon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, who both departed for the NFL.
However, as the season progressed, Peoples fell down the depth chart behind freshman Bo Jackson and Isiah West. He finished the 2025 season with 61 carries for 344 yards and three touchdowns.
A San Antonio native, Peoples will be most remembered for his 19-yard touchdown run against UCLA, in which he hurdled over Bruins cornerback Cole Martin en route to a highlight-reel score.
Peoples becomes the 10th scholarship player to transfer out of the program.
Jackson Courville – K
Ohio State will need to find a new kicker in 2026.
Backup kicker Jackson Courville announced his intention to transfer Friday.
A Ball State transfer, Courville served as the No. 2 kicker behind Jayden Fielding, who is graduating. Courville did not attempt a field goal during his lone season with the Buckeyes.
Courville becomes the 11th scholarship player to enter the transfer portal.
Nick McLarty – P
Nick McLarty becomes the second special teams player to transfer out of the program Friday.
McLarty will have three seasons of eligibility remaining after two seasons at Ohio State, where he served as the backup punter to Joe McGuire.
Devontae Armstrong – OL
The 13th Ohio State scholarship player has announced he will enter the transfer portal.
Devontae Armstrong, a former three-star tackle in the 2024 class, announced on Twitter Friday that he will be leaving the program.
A guard, Armstrong was buried in the depth chart behind Gabe Van Sickle, Josh Padilla, Luke Montgomery and Tegra Tshebola.
Armstrong will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Aaron Scott Jr. – CB
Perhaps the most surprising departure to the portal was announced Saturday, when it was reported that Aaron Scott Jr. would be leaving the program.
Scott becomes the 17th Buckeye to enter the portal.
Isiah Kema – OL
Isiah Kema has become the second Ohio State offensive lineman to enter the transfer portal.
Originally a three-star recruit in the 2023 class, Kema was committed to Oklahoma State before embarking on a two-year missionary trip to New Zealand. He later flipped his commitment to Ohio State and joined the Buckeyes as part of the 2025 recruiting class.
Kema did not appear in a game during his lone season in Columbus.
Dorian Williams – WR
Walk-on receiver Dorian Williams becomes the third Buckeye receiver to hit the transfer portal.
In his two years as a Buckeye, Williams did not record any stats.
Mylan Graham – WR
Mylan Graham, the former No. 39 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, has announced his intention to enter the transfer portal.
The wide receiver redshirted his freshman season and appeared in nine games, recording six receptions for 93 yards while contributing on special teams.
Graham spent most of the season as a backup outside receiver behind Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, but saw extended action against UCLA when both starters were sidelined. In that game, he caught three passes for 40 yards in Ohio State’s 48-10 win.
With Tate expected to enter the NFL draft, Graham was widely viewed as a candidate to compete for a starting role in 2026 alongside incoming freshmen Chris Henry Jr. and Quincy Porter.
Instead, Graham will look to carve out that opportunity elsewhere.
Tegra Tshabola – OL
Offensive guard Tegra Tshabola becomes the first starter from last year’s Ohio State team to enter the transfer portal.
Tshabola appeared in 43 games in four seasons as a Buckeye and started all 16 games for Ohio State in 2024 during their national championship run.
A four-star prospect in the class of 2022, Tshabola becomes the third Buckeye offensive lineman to enter the portal, along with backups Devontae Armstrong and Isiah Kema.
Justin Terry – OL
Justin Terry becomes the fourth Buckeye offensive lineman to put his name into the transfer portal.
A Pickerington, Ohio native, Terry played in 57 total snaps as a backup offensive tackle in his lone season at Ohio State, primarily playing with the second-team and occasionally in red zone packages.
A 2025 transfer from West Virginia, Terry will be looking for his third home in as many years.
Quincy Porter Jr. – WR
Quincy Porter Jr. becomes the fourth Ohio State scholarship receiver to enter his name in the transfer portal.
A former five-star wide receiver, it was expected that Porter would have a chance to start for the Buckeyes in 2026. Instead, he will be looking for a new home.
Jayvon McFadden – OL
After one season in Columbus, guard Jayvon McFadden will enter the transfer portal.
McFadden, who redshirted in his lone season as a Buckeye, was a four-star prospect in the class of 2025 and the No. 24th-ranked interior offensive lineman.
A Upper Marlboro, Md. native, McFadden becomes the second Ohio State guard to announce his departure after starting right guard Tshabola did so Monday.
Maxwell Roy – DT
Hours after McFadden announced he would be leaving, another class of 2025 recruit followed suit.
Maxwell Roy, a former four-star recruit, becomes the 21st scholarship player to hit the portal.
In his lone season, Roy did not appear in any games for the Buckeyes.
Keenan Nelson Jr. – S
A 2024 four-star transfer portal recruit is back in the portal for the Buckeyes.
Keenan Nelson Jr. announced he will be seeking his third school in four years.
Nelson did not record any statistics during his lone season at Ohio State Buckeyes, though he appeared sparingly on special teams.
Eric Mensah – DT
Defensive tackle Eric Mensah announced that he will be entering the transfer portal on Friday.
A former three-star recruit in the class of 2024, Mensah served as a backup defensive tackle in his two seasons as a Buckeye. He appeared in 19 total snaps.
Jarquez Carter- DT
Jarquez Carter will become the third Ohio State defensive tackle to enter the transfer portal.
A four-star prospect in the class of 2025, Carter appeared in seven games for the Buckeyes and recorded one tackle during his freshman season.
With Hero Mensah, Tyreke Roy and Carter all entering the portal, along with Kayden McDonald and Tywone Malone Jr. declaring for the NFL draft, Ohio State’s defensive tackle room is undergoing a significant transition. The Buckeyes are expected to return Eddrick Houston and Will Smith Jr. at the position, while also adding former UCF defensive tackle John Walker.
Malik Hartford – S
Ohio State safety Malik Hartford has entered the transfer portal.
A four-star recruit in the class of 2023, Hartford appeared in 20 games across three seasons with the Buckeyes, starting two as a freshman. He recorded 18 tackles and three pass breakups during his Ohio State career.
Hartford appeared in four games during the 2025 season before opting to redshirt while recovering from shoulder surgery. His departure makes him the fourth Buckeye defensive back to enter the portal this offseason.
Ohio State has now lost six members of its 2025 recruiting class after just one season.
Wide receiver Bodpegn Miller told ESPN on Friday that he is entering the transfer portal, becoming the sixth member of Ohio State’s 2025 class to do so ahead of the 2026 season.
A four-star prospect in the 2025 class, Miller enrolled at Ohio State as a wide receiver after playing quarterback at Ontario High School, located roughly an hour northeast of Columbus. Viewed as a developmental prospect at a new position, Miller did not appear in a game during his freshman season and redshirted.
With former Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline now serving as head coach at USF, Miller has opted to take his four years of collegiate eligibility elsewhere.
Miller joins wide receiver Quincy Porter, defensive tackles Jarquez Carter and Maxwell Roy, and offensive linemen Jayvon McFadden and Isaiah Kema as members of the 2025 class to enter the transfer portal after one season. He is the 27th scholarship Buckeye to enter the portal for 2026.
Faheem Delane – S
Ohio State safety Faheem Delane has entered the transfer portal after one season with the Buckeyes.
A four-star recruit and the No. 55 overall prospect in the 2025 class, Delane appeared in all 14 games as a true freshman, playing 81 defensive snaps as the No. 2 strong safety behind Jaylen McClain. He finished the season with 12 tackles and one tackle for loss.
With McClain expected to return in 2026, Delane opted to take his talents elsewhere rather than wait for a starting opportunity. He becomes the third Ohio State safety to enter the portal this week and the seventh member of the Buckeyes’ 2025 class to do so after one season.
