Twenty-nine Buckeyes have entered the transfer portal, and that’s sent the Ohio State fanbase into full-blown panic mode. But head coach Ryan Day isn’t sweating it, at least not publicly. In fact, he is even trying to convince everyone that this is all part of his plan! 

Day addressed the roster overhaul, making it clear he’s got his eyes on another title run. “We all know what needs to get done here,” Day said. “When you look at the guys that we have returning and the guys who we are bringing in from the portal, we feel strong about it. We still have some work to do here down the stretch, but we’ve got a good combination of older players who are back, portal guys, and young, really talented players.”

The attrition wasn’t exactly a surprise to Day. He knew this was coming when Ohio State signed a massive 28-player recruiting class back in December. “There was going to have to be some attrition somewhere along the line,” he admitted. Some guys were even encouraged to leave. But Day wasn’t about to get specific about who they were. 

This is the new reality of college football in 2026. Programs are navigating their first offseason with the consolidated January transfer window as the spring window is now gone. Add on to that the House v. NCAA settlement that allows up to $20.5 million of revenue sharing with the players. Ohio State is planning to distribute $18.5 million with the athletes. It’s a chaotic mess that nobody fully understands yet. Day has to have constant meetings with athletic director Ross Bjork, general manager Mark Pantoni, and the entire administrative brain trust to figure it all out.

​

The departures stung in key spots, particularly losing four former five-star recruits in WRs Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham (both headed to Notre Dame), CB Aaron Scott Jr., and LB C.J. Hicks. Throw in starting right guard Tegra Tshabola, running back James Peoples, kicker Jackson Courville, and punter Nick McLarty, and you’ve got some serious holes to fill. 

But Ryan Day’s been busy shopping in the portal himself. Ohio State has added 12 transfers so far, headlined by a pair of Alabama defenders, Qua Russaw and James Smith. The Buckeyes also snagged two ACC safeties in Earl Little Jr. from Florida State and Terry Moore from Duke. Then there is also Wisconsin linebacker Christian Alliegro to bolster the defense. Even Maryland quarterback Justyn Martin has been added to provide more depth behind starter Sayin. The latest steal is cornerback Cam Calhoun from Alabama.

They even solved the kicker crisis by landing Baylor’s Connor Hawkins. Ryan Day said he expects to add more transfers but couldn’t discuss them publicly yet. Whether it’s enough to replace what walked out the door remains to be seen. But Day’s betting that this combination of returning stars, portal additions, and that massive recruiting class will be enough to compete for the 2026 national championship.​

Day’s NIL tightrope walk

Behind all those roster moves is a cold, hard reality: money talks. Ryan Day is spending his days haggling over it like he’s running a high-stakes business negotiation. With Ohio State’s $18.5 million allocation for football, the pie only goes so far. Day has built an entire position-by-position valuation system with athletic director Ross Bjork and his staff. And when agents come calling with dollar figures that don’t match Ohio State’s internal numbers, it’s game over.

 “If their number is much different than ours, then it’s not going to work,” Day explained. “Sometimes, they have to compromise. Sometimes, we have to compromise. But we have to have a system in place. We can’t just pay anybody what they want.”

But the flip side of the argument is that every team is facing the same problem. The portal is almost like a free market of players and their talents. Whichever program can offer the best bid will win out the right to get him. It is also not always about money either, as can be seen by QB Lincoln Kienholz leaving for Louisville. Cardinals HC Jeff Brohm looks ready to hand over the starting role to the perennial Buckeye backup.

Top Stories

‘It Stinks’: Jordan Spieth Accuses Friends of Unfair Treatment During ‘Sponsor Exemption’ Storm

Tiger Woods’ Lavish Gift for 300 Guests During 50th Birthday Bash Makes Jaws Drop: ‘Will be Worth a Lot One Day’

Tiger Woods’s GF Vanessa Trump and Daughter Kai Steal the Spotlight at His 50th Birthday Bash

Travis Kelce Announces New Career Move Away From Chiefs After Confirming Retirement Stance

Kyle Shanahan’s Future Plans Under Serious Threat as NFL Players Speak Up Against 49ers Controversy

PGA Tour Takes Mercy on Brooks Koepka After $85 Million Penalty Left Ex-LIV Pro Distressed

Day insists the Buckeyes are competitive. “Our guys have an opportunity to make as much as anybody in the country,” he said. But there’s clearly a limit to what even a powerhouse program like Ohio State will shell out. It’s a delicate balancing act that’s cost them players like Quincy Porter, who reportedly wanted more money and bolted to Notre Dame when negotiations stalled.​

But we need the season to actually start before we can correctly assess the value and impact of these moves. Any projection now is premature. We all remember analysts touting Penn State and Clemson being the top teams during last offseason. Look how that turned out.