Honestly, if you took a look at the Ohio State message boards about forty-eight hours ago, you’d have thought the sky was falling in Columbus. People were losing their minds. And, to be fair, seeing 28 players walk out the door into the transfer portal—including former five-stars like Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham—is enough to make any fan a little twitchy. But then Monday happened.
In a span of about twelve hours, the entire vibe around ohio state football recruiting news shifted from "panic mode" to "reloading."
Ryan Day didn't just pick up a few depth pieces. He went down to Tuscaloosa and basically raided the Crimson Tide’s cupboard. Landing James Smith and Qua Russaw simultaneously is the kind of power move that reminds the rest of the Big Ten that Ohio State still has the deepest pockets and the biggest gravitational pull in the recruiting world.
The Alabama Pipeline and the Defensive Overhaul
Let’s talk about James Smith for a second. This isn't just another defensive tackle. He was the number one interior lineman available in the portal according to most rankings. We're talking about a 300-pound human who actually moves like someone fifty pounds lighter. He’s got one year of eligibility left, and he’s clearly coming to Ohio State to be the "one-year wonder" that catapults himself into the first round of the NFL Draft.
Then you’ve got his buddy, Qua Russaw. They were high school teammates at Carver in Alabama, they went to Bama together, and now they’re moving to the 614 together. It’s a package deal that actually makes sense.
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While Smith plugs the middle, Russaw is that hybrid "Jack" or "Wolf" edge rusher that Matt Patricia (who is now steering this defensive ship) loves to play with. He’s got two years left. That’s huge. It means the Buckeyes aren't just band-aiding a hole for 2026; they’re building a bridge to the next wave of high school recruits.
Recent Transfer Portal Additions (January 2026)
- James Smith (DL): Former 5-star from Alabama. The crown jewel of the portal class.
- Qua Russaw (EDGE): Another Bama transfer. High-upside pass rusher with versatility.
- Earl Little Jr. (S): The Florida State transfer who is likely the Caleb Downs replacement.
- Justyn Martin (QB): Coming over from Maryland/UCLA. This is purely a depth move, but a necessary one after the exodus in the QB room.
- Hunter Welcing (TE): A veteran from Northwestern. He’s 6'3", 250 lbs, and he’s basically a third tackle on the field.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Class
There’s this narrative floating around that Ohio State is "losing its touch" with high school recruiting because guys like Kayden Dixon-Wyatt flipped to USC or Legend Bey headed to Tennessee.
Stop. Just stop.
Every elite program is dealing with this now. The 2026 high school class for the Buckeyes still features Chris Henry Jr., who is arguably the best wide receiver prospect we’ve seen since, well, maybe ever. He officially signed, which should have been the lead story in ohio state football recruiting news last month if people weren't so obsessed with the portal.
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The strategy has clearly shifted. Ryan Day and Ross Bjork (the AD who has been taking a lot of heat lately for NIL management) seem to be prioritizing "proven" talent over "potential" talent for the immediate roster.
Is it risky? Maybe. If you lose 28 guys and only bring in 11, the math looks bad. But if those 11 are starters and the 28 leaving were mostly backups or "evaluations that didn't pan out," the team actually gets better on the field. It’s cold-blooded, but that’s the 2026 version of college football.
The Tight End "Crisis" That Wasn't
Losing Jelani Thurman to North Carolina hurt. I'm not going to sugarcoat that one. He was supposed to be the next freak athlete at the position. But look at how quickly Keenan Bailey moved.
Within days, they landed Hunter Welcing (Northwestern) and Mason Williams (Ohio). These aren't flashy "Heisman contender" tight ends. They are "I will move this linebacker against his will" tight ends. With Julian Sayin likely taking the reins at QB, he needs protection and a reliable check-down option. These moves tell me the Buckeyes are leaning back into a more physical, pro-style offensive identity.
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Sorting Through the Chaos
The secondary was another area where fans were rightfully worried. When you lose a starter like Caleb Downs, you don't just "replace" that. But Earl Little Jr. is about as close as you can get. He was second-team All-ACC at Florida State last year and has that NFL pedigree (his dad played for the Browns).
Then you add Terry Moore from Duke. Suddenly, the backend of the defense looks veteran again.
Why the "NIL Crisis" is Overblown
I saw the tweets from Maurice Clarett. He’s right—kids are looking for the biggest bag. And yeah, maybe Ohio State isn't winning every single bidding war. But they just won the bidding war for the top defensive tackle and the top edge rusher in the portal. The "Ohio State is broke" meme needs to die. They are just being selective. They aren't paying $1 million for a backup guard anymore. They’re saving the war chest for the James Smiths of the world.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you’re tracking ohio state football recruiting news, here is what you actually need to watch over the next few weeks:
- The Kicker Situation: After Jackson Courville left for Tulane, the Buckeyes literally don't have a scholarship kicker. Expect a portal move here very soon. You can't go into a Big Ten season without a leg.
- Offensive Line Depth: They lost Tegra Tshabola to Kentucky. That hurts the rotation. Keep an eye on any veteran tackles entering the portal after spring camp.
- The 2027 Foundation: While 2026 is the focus, landing Quinton Cypher (the LB from North Carolina) recently shows they are still winning national battles for the next-next generation.
The bottom line? The roster is smaller, but the ceiling is arguably higher. The defense they are putting together for 2026 looks more like an NFL unit than a college one. It’s a boom-or-bust strategy, but in Columbus, "bust" is anything less than a national title anyway.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the post-spring portal window. That is when the Buckeyes will likely hunt for one more veteran offensive lineman to solidify the front for Julian Sayin. Until then, take a breath. The Bama-to-Buckeye pipeline is officially open.