Buckeye Backers: Top 5 Transfer Portal Wins & Gut-Punch Losses – Ohio State's 2026 Reload!

Cody Croy Joins the Buckeyes in the Big League, UFL talk and more

Massive roster turnover (with ~30 scholarship players out and 11+ high-impact additions so far), the drama, and the Buckeyes' aggressive reloading strategy. The transfer portal window has been a rollercoaster for Ohio State – with a program-record 30+ scholarship players departing (including big names like Lincoln Kienholz, Jelani Thurman, Aaron Scott Jr., Bryce West, and key contributors like Carnell Tate, Quincy Porter, and more) and the Buckeyes aggressively reloading with 11+ impact transfers!In this episode, we rank the top portal losses that hurt the most (from defensive backs and skill position depth to defensive line pieces) and the standout additions that could instantly upgrade the roster – like former five-star Alabama DL James Smith (top-ranked interior lineman in the portal), his Crimson Tide teammate EDGE Qua Russaw, ACC standout safeties Earl Little Jr. (Florida State) and Terry Moore (Duke), veteran LB Christian Alliegro (Wisconsin), and others bolstering the secondary, tight end room, and trenches. We break down the biggest hits, the smartest pickups, how these moves set up the Buckeyes to compete for another title, and what holes still need filling before the window closes. Is this a net win for Ryan Day's squad despite the exodus? Tune in live – let's talk Buckeye portal chaos and comebacks! #GoBucks #TransferPortal #OhioStateFootball