Ohio State used the transfer portal to reload its defensive talent after NFL departures. Here’s how the transfers fit in Matt Patricia’s defense.

Caleb Downs, Davison Igbinosun, and Lorenzo Styles Jr. are three key starters for the Silver Bullets in 2025 who are now moving on to the NFL. Losing talent to the league isn’t anything new for Ohio State, but this year, they chose to replenish it through the transfer portal.

Replacing Caleb Downs will be a remarkably challenging task. Not only the physical aspect but also the intangibles that Downs brought to the Buckeye defense were invaluable. These attributes are what make him a projected early first-round pick in this year’s NFL draft at the safety position. This is where key transfers Terry Moore (Duke) and Earl Little Jr (FSU) come into the picture.

In 2025, Little Jr recorded 76 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles for the Seminoles. Both he and Terry Moore will be slightly slimmer at the Safety position than Downs, with Moore having the larger frame. However, the numbers are certainly there for Little, and deductions lead one to believe that Matt Patricia and his staff liked what they saw on film as well.

When it comes to Terry Moore, his situation is unique, as he missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL. However, his 2024 numbers mirror Earl Little’s, as he recorded 71 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. Moore also found himself in the backfield often and finished with 7 tackles for loss in that same season, something that is a major plus from the safety position. With a slight advantage in size and proven ability to stop the run, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Moore in a downhill strong safety role for the Buckeyes.

Landing both Little and Moore gives Ohio State much-needed depth and, on paper, two talented options. With tempered expectations in replacing the aforementioned Caleb Downs, either or both will serve as more than capable and experienced additions to the Buckeye defense. Budding star Jaylen McClain is seemingly locking down the free safety position; it will be up to Patricia and his staff to decide how to best utilize this new pair of silver bullets.

At the cornerback position, the Buckeyes added another pair of transfers in Cam Calhoun (Alabama) and Dominick Kelly (UGA). Although there is plenty of upside with both of these pickups, both Calhoun and Kelly are much less proven before setting foot in Columbus.

Calhoun is a Cincinnati native who played for Winton Woods, the same High School as Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. He started his career at Michigan before transferring to Utah, where he saw the most playing time in 2024, recording 21 tackles, 9 passes defended, and a pick. Last year, he played for Alabama, where snaps were rare for Calhoun. This would lead him to return to his home state and compete for playing time in Columbus.

Dominick Kelly, a four-star recruit from the class of 2025, understandably did not see much action as a true freshman at Georgia. With plenty of eligibility left, Ohio State will not only add depth by adding Kelly but also give them a potential starter come 2027 who can develop as the staff hopes. Beyond the tape, it aids Kelly to come from a program like Georgia and a heavily defensive-minded head coach in Kirby Smart.

With Devin Sanchez, Jermaine Mathews Jr., and Earl Little Jr. expected to take a majority of snaps at Cornerback/Nickel for the Buckeyes, Calhoun and Kelly will have their work cut out for them. There is plenty of opportunity between now and summer camp to stand out. When going up against the receivers that the Buckeyes have, they’re only going to develop that much more as they provide much-needed depth moving forward.

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