The strength of Ohio State has been its winning culture that is competitive, yet secure for all of the players. This year, the story seems different as several key Buckeyes are hitting the transfer portal.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have built their program in this NIL and Transfer Portal era by not shying away from competition but using it to fuel their program, keep players invested, and win football games.
It's no surprise that Ohio State isn't the top spender in the portal amongst the rest of College Football, but they have the backing of a historic program that players want to be a part of.
Or, at least they did.
The story of this transfer portal window early is that the Buckeyes are not invincible. Some of the names that entered the portal on the first day made a bit of sense. Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz made sense for his role, and some of the backups, such as Devontae Armstrong, also weren't head scratchers.
But then, the portal started getting closer and closer to guys who were set to be impactful next season. Bryson Rogers hit the portal, but that was several weeks ago, and the shocking one that came from Sunday was wide receiver Mylan Graham putting his name in. James Peoples was also a player who scored several meaningful touchdowns last year. He, too, is moving on from Ohio State.
Furthermore, the top-tier targets in the portal are not attracted to Ohio State as their first choice. Chaz Coleman is the perfect example.
The freshman from Warren, OH, about two-and-a-half hours from Columbus, hit the transfer portal from Penn State. He seemed like a shoo-in for the Buckeyes to become their next elite pass rusher. That certainly was the feeling until he was seen in a picture with Lane Kiffin in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in a full LSU sweatsuit in front of a Bentley.
He isn't getting that from his Ohio State visits, that's for sure.
Is it time to at least get the panic button out for the Buckeyes? The future doesn't look great next year as they are on the verge of losing at least 10 starters and maybe ever 13 if everyone decides to go to the draft. They are now losing the guys who were set to replace the starters.
I'm not referencing concern that they are going to fall off the map completely, that is impossible.
However, as the landscape of College Football continues to level out, are they on the verge of losing their stranglehold as a National Championship contender in years to come?
To me, it certainly feels like their grip is loosening.