Changes On Tap For Ohio State Football In 2026
Changes will abound next fall in Columbus for the Ohio State football team as several important players have either entered into the transfer portal or are turning professional and will go play in the National Football League.
It is early in the process, and Ohio State does have several important football recruits, including Wide Receiver Chris Henry Jr. and Running Back Legend Bey, but these changes do have fans of the Ohio State football team worried. It is alarming that these changes have taken place suddenly. There is reason to believe that Ohio State football will be fine, but the changes are unnerving. Do you think these changes will hurt the Ohio State program?
An Early Look At Changes For Ohio State In the Transfer Portal
Changes from the transfer portal are an increasing part of college football. Just 24 hours into the transfer portal, 4,000 football players had entered the transfer portal. Indeed, managing the transfer portal is important for college football coaches. Perhaps as important as recruiting high school talent. The head football coach at Ohio State, Ryan Day, certainly has his work cut out for him. At this early juncture, 18 former Buckeyes have entered the transfer portal, and only four players have said they will join Ohio State.
The transfers out include some significant players. While most of the transfers out affect Ohio State’s depth, they include some starting players. Ohio State Offensive Lineman Tegra Tshabola headlines the Ohio State transfers out. Also important are Tight End Jelani Thurman and backup Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz. Also entering the transfer portal is six-foot-seven-inch punter Nick McLarty.
It remains early in the process of the transfers in and out. Most of the Ohio State transfers out are backup players. That said, it is a little worrying that there are so many transfers out, but relatively few, only four transfers into the program. The key for Day and the rest of the Ohio State football coaching staff will be for them to obtain quality players whom they think they can improve. Managing this process will be very important for Day. If Ohio State hopes to return to prominence they must do well in the transfer portal.
Carnell Tate Turns Professional
Probably one of the expected changes for Ohio State is that star Wide Receiver Carnell Tate has said he is going to turn professional. Tate caught at least one pass in every game he played for the Buckeyes. Tate had 51 catches last season for 851 yards and has scored 9 touchdowns. For his career, he caught 121 passes for 1,872 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. The junior could have played one more season at Ohio State, but was virtually assured of being the No. 2 wide receiver behind Jeremiah Smith.
Turning professional for Tate could not have happened to a nicer guy. He has had a difficult life. He grew up in Chicago, where drug abuse and violence were rampant, and was raised by his mother, Ashley Griggs. In July 2023, his mother was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in West Garfield Park, Chicago. He deserves to make several hundred million dollars in the National Football League. He is expected to be a top draft pick.
Caleb Downs Turns Professional
One of the changes for the Ohio State football team is that All-American and Thorpe Award winner Caleb Downs is going to turn professional. Downs was expected to return to school for his senior season. Downs was everywhere on defense and leaves gigantic shoes to fill on the Ohio State defense. Ohio State has a lot of big-time recruits in the defensive secondary, and now they need to step up.
Parting Thoughts
With big-time changes coming to the Ohio State football roster in 2026, the Buckeye coaching staff will have to acquire skilled players in the transfer portal to replace their losses. With two significant players declaring for the draft, Ohio State is up against it, so to speak. They probably will not be favored to win the National Championship in football next season.
