Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes have received a concerning outlook in the transfer portal.
It has not been an easy winter for Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes, who have watched as 32 of their players have departed via the transfer portal.
Ohio State has secured 11 commitments of its own, including a couple of four-star players, but the Buckeyes have suffered a mass exodus of talent from their roster this offseason, especially when it comes to the wide receiver position (which is weird for Ohio State).
In fact, On 3 has provided a rather alarming outlook regarding what has unfolded for the Buckeyes in the portal thus far, placing Day's club 46th in its transfer portal rankings and 13th in the Big Ten.
At least Ohio State hasn't been as bad as Michigan, which has dropped 35 points in On 3's index score and is ranked last in the Big Ten in the transfer portal category, but this is still an alarming trend in Columbus, nonetheless.
Now, to be fair, prior to last year, the Buckeyes had rather consistently ranked toward the bottom of the conference in the transfer portal. But Ohio State broke that mold in 2025 when it finished third in the Big Ten.
So what exactly has happened to the Buckeyes this winter?
Ohio State Buckeyes coach Ryan Day. Credit: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.Well, the departure of beloved offensive coordinator Brian Hartline hasn't helped, as it has resulted in six wide receivers — including former five-star recruit Quincy Porter — leaving Columbus. Running backs James Peoples and Sam Dixon bolted, as well.
The most concerning aspect? Ohio State has only bagged one receiver in the portal thus far, nabbing former UTSA weapon Devin McCuin (although McCuin was a pretty solid get). The Buckeyes also haven't poached any running backs.
It has definitely been a strange January for a team one year removed from a national championship, and let's also remember that Ohio State had gone 12-0 this season before losing to Indiana in the Big Ten title game and then to Miami in the College Football Playoff.
Chances are, the Buckeyes will be just fine. Day is one of the best coaches the country has to offer, and there is no question that Ohio State remains one of the genuinely elite programs in the nation. The latter in particular will always be the case.
But you can't help but be a bit perturbed by what has transpired in Columbus over the past couple of weeks.