Two weeks have passed since the transfer portal window opened on December 4, and while Ohio State has yet to land a player from another school, the Buckeyes have been courting their fair share of targets.
While the NCAA’s recruiting dead period is now in effect ahead of Wednesday’s early signing period, three transfer portal players have visited Ohio State in the last two weeks, and the Buckeyes have also reportedly been in contact with a couple of other intriguing players who could be impact additions in the trenches.
Several other players who were potential targets have dropped off the list for various reasons. Former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard, widely regarded as Ohio State’s most likely quarterback addition, committed to Notre Dame on Tuesday. Trey Moore of UTSA was scheduled to visit, but Ohio State canceled his visit. Middle Tennessee State defensive tackle Marley Cook, who had planned to visit Ohio State, also did not make the trip to Columbus. Carter Smith, a Central Ohio native and potential offensive tackle target, chose to exit the portal and return to Indiana.
Other targets may emerge as players continue to enter the portal on a daily basis, and the winter portal window will remain open until Jan. 2, but the following five players have been linked with the Buckeyes the most so far.
UCLA S KAMARI RAMSEY
Ramsey, who is ranked as the 35th-best transfer and second-best transfer safety in the country by 247Sports, visited Ohio State this weekend as the Buckeyes continue to evaluate potential secondary help for next season. Josh Proctor is out of eligibility at safety, some depth has transferred, and Lathan Ransom and Jordan Hancock await NFL draft decisions.
Ramsey will have three years of eligibility remaining at the school of his choice when he arrives. This year at UCLA, he had 40 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and an interception.
CAL LB KALEB ELARMS-ORR
was also in Columbus over the weekend. The former California Golden Bear has emerged as the Buckeyes’ favorite linebacker, recording 92 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception in 2023.
With Tommy Eichenberg accepting his Reese’s Senior Bowl invitation and foregoing his final year of eligibility, and Steele Chambers expected to enter the NFL draft, the Buckeyes are looking for another veteran linebacker to pair with Cody Simon, who will return for a fifth season in 2024.
MICHIGAN STATE DT DERRICK HARMON
The exact amount of defensive line help Ohio State will require will depend on which players in the front four declare for the NFL draft, but the Buckeyes’ pursuit of Harmon shows that they are interested in increasing their defensive tackle depth with the former Michigan State Spartan. He went to Columbus two weekends ago.
Harmon had his most productive year in East Lansing with 40 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in 2023 after three years of experience, including two as a starter.
TEXAS A&M OL CHASE BISONTIS
No position group took more punishment for Ohio State in 2023 than the offensive line. Bisontis, who spent one year at Texas A&M and started right tackle for the Aggies this season, could compete for a starting spot with the Buckeyes at either guard or tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, the Aggies ranked 128th in the country in pressure rate this season, and Bisontis allowed four sacks as a freshman. Despite this, he was named to several freshman All-American teams.
Bisontis’ recruitment out of high school was heavily influenced by Ohio State. He was a top-100 prospect nationally and is now ranked as the portal’s No. 11 player and No. 2 offensive tackle. If he lives up to his pedigree, he could be a significant contributor to OSU’s front five. The Buckeyes have reportedly been in contact with Bisontis, but no visit has yet taken place.
TEXAS A&M DE LT OVERTON
Overton, who would be a welcome addition even if the Buckeyes didn’t have depth issues at defensive end, has also reportedly been in contact with Ohio State. Overton, a five-star prospect out of high school, is ranked as the transfer portal’s No. 15 player and No. 2 defensive lineman.
If JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer both declare for the NFL draft, Ohio State will be down to Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Cade Curry as its only upperclassmen off the edge, joining Mitchell Melton, who has struggled to find the field in four years at Ohio State. Ohio State’s only other scholarship defensive end is current freshman Joshua Mickens; the Buckeyes do have a commitment from five-star Eddrick Houston in the class of 2024, though it’s unclear whether he’ll sign with the Buckeyes this week after visiting Alabama and Clemson over the weekend.
Overton’s odds of signing with Ohio State are longer because he hasn’t visited Columbus while visiting Alabama and South Carolina, but he remains on the market at a position where the Buckeyes have a need with only two defensive linemen committed to their 2024 recruiting class.
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