The Ohio State football program is actively navigating the 2026 transfer portal window, which opened on January 2 and will close on January 6. This condensed two-week period, sanctioned by the NCAA, allows Division I players to enter their names into the portal and explore opportunities with other teams. Ohio State’s roster has already seen significant movement, with seventeen players entering the portal and two notable transfers joining the Buckeyes.
Players Departing Ohio State Through the Transfer Portal
Seventeen Buckeyes have confirmed their intent to transfer after varying levels of involvement with the team. Among the offensive departures, offensive lineman Tegra Tshabola announced on January 4 that he will enter the portal for his final year of eligibility. Tshabola started 28 games at right guard over the past two seasons but saw his playing time decrease due to injury and rotation with other linemen. Wide receiver Mylan Graham, a former five-star recruit, also opted to leave. After redshirting his freshman season, Graham contributed six receptions for 93 yards last season.
Defensive backs Aaron Scott Jr. and Bryce West are leaving as well. Scott, a highly rated recruit from Ohio, appeared in 15 games and made eight tackles. West was the team’s primary backup at nickel back, recording ten tackles and forcing a fumble. The defensive end group is also affected, with Logan George, C.J. Hicks, and Dominic Kirks all entering the portal. George was limited to three games due to availability issues. Hicks, once the nation’s top linebacker recruit, saw a position change to defensive end but appeared in only four games to preserve eligibility. Kirks contributed modestly with two tackles in six appearances.
At quarterback, Lincoln Kienholz confirmed his transfer intentions before the portal opened and has committed to Louisville. Kienholz served as a backup and struggled to secure playing time behind redshirt freshman Julian Sayin. Another quarterback, Mason Maggs, a walk-on and the son of former Buckeye Bob Maggs, also plans to transfer.
Additional roster changes include running back James Peoples, who entered the portal aiming to utilize his final two years of eligibility. Peoples started early in the season but ended up as the third option in the backfield. Fellow running back Sam Dixon reentered the portal, having barely seen game action last season. Tight end Jelani Thurman, who caught 13 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns during his Ohio State tenure, is also departing. Walk-on kicker Jackson Courville and punter Nick McLarty confirmed they are transferring after limited playing time.
Wide receiver Damarion Witten and slot receiver Bryson Rodgers are among the offensive skill players leaving. Witten transitioned from tight end to wide receiver but played sparingly. Rodgers, who announced his transfer intentions in mid-December, contributed 11 receptions and one touchdown over three seasons.
Incoming Transfers Committed to Ohio State
Ohio State has already secured two transfers through the portal to bolster the roster. Long snapper Dalton Riggs committed on January 4 to fill the vacancy created by John Ferlmann, the longtime starter who has exhausted his eligibility. Riggs has experience snapping in all 12 games for UCF last season.
The Buckeyes also added tight end Mason Williams, who committed the same day. Williams provides size and versatility, having earned third-team All-MAC honors while playing for Ohio University. Over three seasons, he accumulated 48 catches for 565 yards and six touchdowns. His blocking skills should help fill the gap left by Will Kacmarek, who transferred to Ohio State two years ago and made an immediate impact.
Summary of Key Transfer Portal Activity
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Players Leaving (17 total notable):
- OL Tegra Tshabola
- WR Mylan Graham
- CB Aaron Scott Jr.
- OL Devontae Armstrong
- P Nick McLarty
- K Jackson Courville
- RB James Peoples
- RB Sam Dixon
- WR Damarion Witten
- DE Logan George
- DE C.J. Hicks
- DE Dominic Kirks
- CB Bryce West
- QB Lincoln Kienholz
- QB Mason Maggs
- TE Jelani Thurman
- WR Bryson Rodgers
- Players Joining (2 total):
- LS Dalton Riggs
- TE Mason Williams
Ohio State’s activity reflects the new NCAA transfer window’s impact, compressing much of the offseason roster turnover into a rapid timeline. The Buckeyes’ coaching staff will face challenges in maintaining depth and experience after losing several contributors at multiple positions. Meanwhile, the additions of Riggs and Williams offer immediate reinforcements, particularly on special teams and tight end positions. Monitoring further developments in the portal will be critical as Ohio State prepares for the upcoming season.
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