If you’re still feeling that 2025 hangover, you aren’t alone. One minute, the Buckeyes are 12-0 and looks like absolute world-beaters after dominating Michigan 27-9. The next, everything falls apart. Losing to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship was a gut punch, but that 24-14 collapse against Miami in the Cotton Bowl? That felt like a "back to the drawing board" moment for the entire program.
Now, the latest Ohio State Buckeye football news is basically a whirlwind of "who's left?" and "who's next?" The transfer portal just closed its primary window on Friday night, and the numbers are honestly staggering. Thirty players. That’s how many Buckeyes have hopped into the portal since the season ended. It sounds like a crisis, but when you dig into the names, it's more of a radical home renovation than a house fire.
The Transfer Portal Chaos and the Defensive Overhaul
Ryan Day and Matt Patricia are essentially rebuilding the secondary on the fly. Losing Faheem Delane to the portal on January 12 was the big shocker. Most of us had him penciled in as a locked-in starter for the 2026 season. Instead, he’s likely headed to LSU to join Lane Kiffin. It’s a bummer, but the staff didn't exactly sit on their hands.
Within 48 hours of Delane leaving, the Buckeyes landed Earl Little Jr. from Florida State and Terry Moore from Duke. Little is a former Alabama guy who found his footing with the Seminoles, and he’s expected to slide right into that slot nickel role. Moore is a fascinating pick-up; he’s basically being asked to fill the massive shoes of Caleb Downs, who is off to be a high NFL draft pick.
The defensive line actually got some of the best news of the month. Kenyatta Jackson Jr. decided to bypass the NFL and come back for a fifth year. That is massive. With Caden Curry gone, Jackson is the undisputed leader of that edge group now. He’s got that 6-6 frame that scouts drool over, and if he improves on his 6.5 sacks from last year, he’s a first-rounder in 2027. Plus, they added Qua Russaw and James Smith from Alabama. Smith was the No. 1 ranked defensive lineman in the portal. That’s a "reload" move, not a "rebuild" move.
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Why the Latest Ohio State Buckeye Football News Centers on the Offense
Julian Sayin is the guy. Let’s just put that out there. With the 2025 season in the rearview, the keys to the Ferrari have been handed to Sayin. People are already comparing his potential to C.J. Stroud, though honestly, he needs a solid spring in the weight room before we start crowning him. He’s a pure pocket passer, which is exactly what Ryan Day likes, but he’s going to have a very different supporting cast.
The wide receiver room took a hit with Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter Jr. bolting for Notre Dame. It feels weird seeing Buckeyes head to South Bend, doesn't it? To fix the depth, they brought in Devin McCuin from UTSA. He’s 6-5 and runs a 4.37. That’s the kind of freakish speed that keeps defensive coordinators awake at night.
Then there's the offensive line. This has been the "make or break" unit for three years running.
- Carson Hinzman is back for his fifth year at center.
- Luke Montgomery is returning at left guard.
- Tegra Tshabola is gone (transferred to Kentucky).
Having Hinzman and Montgomery back provides some desperately needed stability, especially since they'll be protecting a relatively young quarterback. Hinzman didn't allow a single sack in the playoff loss to Miami, which was one of the few bright spots in that game.
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The Offensive Coordinator Search: What’s Taking So Long?
This is the part that’s driving Buckeye Nation crazy. Brian Hartline left to take the USF head coaching job right before the Big Ten Championship. It’s been well over a month, and Ryan Day still hasn't named a replacement.
The rumors are all over the place. Some people think it’s going to be an NFL hire, which is why we haven't heard anything yet—they’re waiting for the playoffs to wrap up. Names like Brian Daboll have been floated, which sounds like a pipe dream, but hey, this is Ohio State. J.T. Barrett’s name even popped up in some circles, though that feels more like fan nostalgia than a serious candidate for a high-level play-caller role.
Day needs to get this right. He’s officially moved into that "CEO" role, and the latest Ohio State Buckeye football news suggests he isn't going back to calling plays. He needs a heavy hitter who can take the talent on this roster—including five-star freshman WR Chris Henry Jr.—and actually finish drives in the red zone.
Breaking Down the 2026 Special Teams Fix
We have to talk about the kicker. Because, man, the kicking game was an adventure last year. With Jayden Fielding graduating and Jackson Courville transferring to Tulane, the roster was literally empty at the position for a few days.
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Enter Connor Hawkins. The Baylor transfer was 18-of-22 last year and nailed a 54-yarder. More importantly, he’s 37-of-37 on extra points. In a world where the Buckeyes lost the Big Ten title game by three points, having a guy who doesn't blink at a 40-yarder is worth his weight in gold.
What’s Next for the Buckeyes?
The recruiting class is currently sitting at No. 5 nationally, headlined by Chris Henry Jr. and a massive offensive tackle named Sam Greer. They are still the favorites to land David Gabriel Georges, a five-star RB who could be the next great Buckeye back.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the late-window portal entries. While the main rush is over, players can still be added if they entered before the deadline. The priority right now is finding one more veteran offensive tackle and, obviously, naming that offensive coordinator.
Actionable Steps for the Offseason:
- Watch the Spring Game: Keep a close eye on Julian Sayin’s chemistry with Devin McCuin; that vertical threat will be the "X" factor for the 2026 offense.
- Monitor the NFL Draft: Seeing where guys like Caleb Downs and Carnell Tate land will tell you a lot about how the NFL views the current state of the "BIA" (Best in America) secondary.
- Check the Staff Hires: The second Day hires an OC, look at their history with "spread-option" schemes. If it's a heavy NFL-influence coach, expect the Buckeyes to lean into more complex protection schemes for Sayin.
The 2025 season ended in a whimper, but the 2026 roster is being built to be a louder, more aggressive version of itself. Whether Ryan Day can finally get over that playoff hump remains the million-dollar question in Columbus.