Ohio State keeps eight starters on defense, including NFL top prospects Denzel Burke and J.T. Tuimoloau. On the offensive end, they keep Emeka Egbuka and TreVeyon Henderson as top NFL prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft. Ohio State has never splashed like this in the transfer portal. Ohio State adds Will Howard, a Kansas State transfer; Quinshon Judkins, an Ole Miss running back and First Team All-SEC member; Seth McLaughlin, an Alabama OL; and the number one player in the transfer portal, Caleb Downs, a five-star safety out of Alabama.
It doesn’t look like Ohio State is done “spending” in the portal. This is the best team Ohio State has had since 2019. They brought back more players than anyone could have guessed, and they added more than any other team has. This is arguably the best transfer portal class ever. This team has the potential to break records, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They were already ranked the number two defense behind rival Michigan, and with all that’s coming back and the addition of Caleb Downs, this Buckeye defense is loaded.
For all of you who don’t know who Caleb Downs is, he is a five-star safety who committed to Alabama last season and had an instant impact as a freshman on a loaded Alabama defense. He plays like a giant for his size, 6'0" (203). He isn’t afraid of contact, and he is as mobile with the ball in his hand as a running back. Some experts believe he can be a running back at the Power Five level. He’s a talented safety/corner with amazing ball skills, He is the perfect safety, and that’s why he’s ranked the number one player in the portal.
This Ohio State team has easily the #1 or #2 best odds to win the national championship this upcoming season. Ryan Day hasn't had a defense stacked like this since 2019, and this defense may be better. Columbus better be ready because this team will break records. I can't wait to watch and cover this team. GO BUCKEYES!!