Ohio State opens Spring ball on Tuesday, turning the page to the 2026 season with transfer portal and recruiting additions as well as key returnees.
The 2025 season did not end on a good note for the Ohio State Buckeyes, as they lost their final two games: the Big Ten Championship, 13-10, to Indiana, and the Cotton Bowl Classic against Miami. The Buckeyes also found themselves in the midst of an entire roster overhaul. Caleb Downs, Carnell Tate, Kayden McDonald, Max Klare, and Arvell Reese declared early for the NFL Draft, and a heavy senior class was led by Sonny Styles and Davison Igbinosun.
The Buckeyes were hit hard in the portal as well, losing backup quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, wide receivers Mylan Graham, Quincy Porter, and Bryson Rodgers; two-year starter Tegra Tshabola; running back James Peoples; and safeties Malik Hartford and Faheem Delane, which led to a total loss of 29 players to the portal.
In addition, the Buckeyes added 18 transfers out of the portal. They brought in depth and experience, led by defensive backs and All-ACC players Earl Little Jr. (Florida State) and Terry Moore (Duke); All-SEC players James Smith and Qua Russaw (Alabama); Dominick Kelly (Georgia); Kyle Parker (LSU); All-Big Ten player Christian Alliergo (Wisconsin); and All-Big 12 player John Walker (UCF), along with kicker Connor Hawkins (Baylor).
As spring football arrives for the 2026 Buckeyes, what should Buckeye fans and the rest of the nation keep their eye on?
Replacing Caleb Downs
Replacing a two-time unanimous All-American will be the spot on the Buckeye defense that most of the nation will be intrigued to see, and what Matt Patricia and Tim Walton will be focused on this spring. Caleb Downs was a player who could oversee the back end of the defense in coverage, come up, and help in run support, or simply be the general of the defense. What Downs did for the Buckeyes is unmatched. So, who could fill that role?
- In his first season, Jaylin McClain helped support the Buckeyes’ defensive backs in a wonderful way. McClain racked up 42 solo tackles and 11 assisted tackles for a total of 53 tackles. He will continue to develop and play a key role in replacing Caleb Downs.
- Terry Moore, the transfer from Duke, sat out the 2025 season due to a season-ending injury in the 2024-2025 Gator Bowl. However, in the 2024 season, Moore put up All-ACC numbers with 71 total tackles (45 solo, 26 assisted), 1 sack, and 4 interceptions. That production alone could fit well in the Matt Patricia system.
This battle between McClain and Moore will be one for the ages this spring. This competition will extend into the fall. Either way, both will be starters for the 2026 season. The only question is who will fill the Caleb Downs role next season.
Wide Receiver Depth
The college football world knows all about Jeremiah Smith and his ability to take over games. Now, with Brian Hartline replaced by Cortez Hankton, the arrival of incoming freshman Chris Henry Jr., and the departures of Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham, how will this room look?
Brandon Inniss and LSU transfer Kyle Parker look to replace Carnell Tate as Julian Sayin’s second target. If Inniss and Parker can combine to match the production Tate had in 2025, the Buckeye offense can be lethal.
- Inniss 2025 Stats: 36 receptions, 271 yards, and 3 tds
- Parker 2025 LSU Stats: 31 receptions, 330 yards, 4 tds
Could freshmen Chris Henry Jr. and Phillip Bell play key roles in Ohio State’s wide receiver room? Not many freshmen wide receivers in Ohio State history have made a massive impact unless your name is David Boston in 1996 or Jeremiah Smith in 2024. The question remains: what will their impact and roles be like in 2026?
Arthur Smith and Ryan Day Offense
Ryan Day built Ohio State’s offense around elite quarterback play, explosive wide receivers, and a modern spread system that stresses defenses sideline to sideline with a strong vertical threat. The identity of Day’s offense is precision, a previously heavy tempo, and the development of NFL-caliber athletes from quarterback to offensive line, all while keeping the Buckeyes among the nation’s most diverse and dangerous passing attacks. Day’s philosophy is built on efficiency and explosiveness, controlling the clock and forcing opposing defensive coordinators to defend the entire field.
Arthur Smith brings a physical, play-action-driven offensive approach rooted in a strong run game and the use of the tight end. His system emphasizes a run-heavy attack, using 12 and 13-personnel formations, zone-blocking schemes, and downhill runs to create play-action passes featuring deep crossing routes and explosive shots. Smith’s philosophy is about setting a physical tone, creating matchup advantages, and building an offense that thrives in high-pressure, late-season football.
This spring, all eyes will be on how Day’s spread precision and Smith’s physical, run‑centric style blend into a unified offensive identity, and what that will mean for the personnel and scheme, and what the overall game plan could look like heading into the 2026 season.
Most Intriguing Incoming Transfers
As mentioned above, with safety Terry Moore (Duke) and wide receiver Kyle Parker (LSU), who are some of the other transfers that can make a significant impact for the Buckeyes this spring as they head into the 2026 season?
James Smith was one of the three Alabama transfers alongside Qua Russaw and Cam Calhoun, and he was the most productive of the group. The defensive tackle recorded 26 total tackles, 16 solo tackles, and 2.5 sacks in 2025. Smith is a guy who can come in and compete for a starting job in year one with the Buckeyes. He still has one year of eligibility left in his college career. Now being coached by Larry Johnson and seeing Tyliek Williams go in the first round of the 2025 draft and Kayden McDonald projected to go in the first round of the 2026 draft, Smith wants to improve his draft stock while being coached by one of the best in college football.
Earl Little Jr., a defensive back transfer from Florida State, is another player a lot of Buckeye fans are excited about. He brings explosiveness in pass coverage and is not afraid to make a tackle. Little Jr. also has a knack for being around the football, finishing with 2 forced fumbles and 4 interceptions. He totaled 76 tackles, including 23 solo. Adding his depth and veteran experience to a defensive room that lost Malik Hartford, Bryce West, and Aaron Scott to the portal makes Little Jr. an intriguing pickup. This spring will be key to seeing how quickly he picks up Matt Patricia’s defensive scheme.
Devin McCuin is another player to watch this spring. McCuin, a depth piece picked up from UTSA, has speed that can blow you away. He recorded 65 receptions for 726 yards and 8 touchdowns for the Roadrunners. With one year of eligibility left, he could be a key piece with the ball in his hands. Buckeye Nation may see flashes this spring of what he can bring, whether on special teams or on offense.
Intriguing Incoming Freshman
This freshman class has no shortage of Talent. All eyes are going to be on Chris Henry Jr., but who are the other incoming freshmen that Buckeye fans are going to rave about?
Legend Bey had one of the most interesting commitments of this offseason. He initially committed to Tennessee, but once he turned 18, he wanted to come to Columbus, had his NLI released, and was able to join the Buckeyes in the 2026 recruiting cycle. However, that confusion is not why this freshman will have eyes on him this offseason. He is an athlete who recorded 1,608 passing yards and 16 passing touchdowns, along with 1,780 rushing yards and 30 rushing touchdowns.
Bey could come in as a running back or Wide Receiver for the Buckeyes, as he provides explosiveness and is an exceptional talent with the ball in his hands. Head coach Ryan Day compared Bey’s size to NFL great Tyreek Hill, with a 5’10”, 191‑pound frame and quick burst off the line of scrimmage.
Cincere Johnson is another product of Cleveland Glenville. A 6’3”, 228‑pound game‑wrecking machine in high school, Johnson comes into a room where he could fit the mold of fellow Glenville star Arvell Reese, who is now off to the NFL. With plenty of room to grow, Johnson provides explosiveness and plays the game of football violently. Johnson is an ideal edge rusher in Matt Patricia’s system. He is someone to watch this spring as he begins developing into a college football linebacker.
Blaine Bradford is a guy the Buckeyes pulled right out of LSU’s backyard. Bradford, a 6’1″, 207‑pound safety from Baton Rouge Catholic High School, brings versatility to the Buckeyes’ safety room. Safeties coach Matt Guerrieri said that “safety Blaine Bradford’s unique mental makeup is what makes him stand out.” Bradford is a forward‑focused defender with quick reactions, strong tackling ability, and excellent short‑area quickness, allowing him to attack downhill and chase plays sideline to sideline.
One area to watch this spring is his development in the passing game. He shows good zone awareness and provides reliable deep‑safety help; however, he may still need improvement with vertical speed in man‑to‑man coverage.
Kicking Game
We all know that under Ryan Day, the Buckeyes’ kicking game has not been a bright spot for Ohio State. From Noah Ruggles’ missed field goal in the 2022 Peach Bowl against Georgia to Jayden Fielding’s struggles throughout his career, most notably key misses in the 2024 Michigan game and the 2025 Big Ten Championship, the inconsistency has been glaring.
So, what did Ryan Day do to address it? He went out and hired one of the most productive special teams coordinators in the country, Robby Discher, who spent the last three seasons with Illinois.
The Buckeyes also hit the transfer portal, bringing in Connor Hawkins from Baylor, who went 18‑for‑22 with a long of 54 yards in 2025. They added Marcello Diomede from Notre Dame; although primarily a kickoff specialist, he went 3‑for‑4 on PATs. Ohio State also landed Cooper Peterson out of Corvian Community in Charlotte, NC. The kicking game is certainly something to watch closely this spring with these new additions.
Ohio State will wrap up all spring football activities with the annual Spring Game on April 18, 2026, giving fans their first real look at the new‑look Buckeyes.
