Two weeks have passed since the transfer portal window opened on Dec. 4, and while Ohio State has yet to land a player from another school, the Buckeyes have been courting their fair share of targets.
While the NCAA’s recruiting dead period is now in effect ahead of Wednesday’s early signing period, three players from the transfer portal took visits to Ohio State over the past two weeks while the Buckeyes have also reportedly been in communication with a couple of other intriguing players who could be impact additions in the trenches.
Several other players who were potential targets have fallen off the list for one reason or another. Former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard, who was seen as the most likely quarterback addition for Ohio State, committed to Notre Dame on Tuesday. UTSA edge rusher Trey Moore was scheduled to visit, but that visit was canceled by Ohio State. Middle Tennessee State defensive tackle Marley Cook also did not make a trip to Columbus after originally planning to visit Ohio State. Carter Smith, a Central Ohio native who was seen as a potential offensive tackle target, decided to jump back out of the portal and return to Indiana.
There’s still time for other targets to emerge as players continue to enter the portal every day and the winter portal window will remain open until Jan. 2, but the following five players are the ones who have been connected with the Buckeyes most so far.
UCLA S Kamari Ramsey
Considered the 35th-best transfer and second-best transfer safety in the country by 247Sports’ transfer rankings, Ramsey took a visit to Ohio State this weekend as the Buckeyes continue evaluating potential secondary help for next season. Josh Proctor is out of eligibility at the safety position, some depth has transferred out and NFL draft decisions await from Lathan Ransom and Jordan Hancock.
Ramsey will arrive with three years of eligibility remaining at whichever school he chooses. He had 40 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups and an interception at UCLA this year.
Cal LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr
Elams-Orr also visited Columbus this past weekend. The former California Golden Bear has emerged as the apple of the Buckeyes’ eye at linebacker, where he racked up 92 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one interception in 2023.
With Tommy Eichenberg accepting his Reese’s Senior Bowl invite to forgo his final year of eligibility and Steele Chambers also expected to enter the NFL draft, the Buckeyes want another veteran linebacker to pair with Cody Simon, who is returning for a fifth season in 2024.
Michigan State DT Derrick Harmon
Exactly how much help Ohio State will need along the defensive line will depend on which players in the front four declare for the NFL draft, but it’s clear with their pursuit of Harmon that the Buckeyes are interested in increasing their defensive tackle depth with the former Michigan State Spartan. He visited Columbus two weekend sago.
With three years of experience under his belt, including two as a starter, Harmon had his most productive year in East Lansing with 40 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 2023.
Texas A&M OL Chase Bisontis
Perhaps no position group took more lumps for Ohio State in 2023 than its offensive line. Bisontis, who spent one year at Texas A&M and was the Aggies’ starting right tackle this season, could come in and compete for a starting job with the Buckeyes at either guard or tackle. The Aggies ranked 128th in the country in pressure rate this season per Pro Football Focus and Bisontis gave up four sacks, but he was cutting his teeth as a freshman. He still made multiple freshman All-American teams.
Ohio State was heavily involved in Bisontis’ recruitment out of high school. He was a top-100 prospect nationally and is now ranked by 247Sports as the No. 11 player and No. 2 offensive tackle in the portal. If he lives up to his pedigree, he could be a big boost for OSU’s front five. The Buckeyes have reportedly been in contact with Bisontis, though no visit has materialized as of yet.
Texas A&M DE LT Overton
Ohio State has also reportedly been in contact with Overton, who would be a welcome addition even if the Buckeyes didn’t have depth issues mounting at defensive end. A five-star prospect out of high school, Overton is ranked as the No. 15 player and No. 2 defensive lineman in the transfer portal.
If JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer both declare for the NFL draft, OSU is left with Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Caden Curry as its only upperclassmen off the edge alongside Mitchell Melton, who has struggled to find the field in four years at Ohio State. Current freshman Joshua Mickens is the only other defensive end currently on scholarship for Ohio State; it does have a commitment from five-star Eddrick Houston in the class of 2024, though it’s unclear whether he’ll sign with the Buckeyes this week after visiting Alabama and Clemson over the weekend.
Ohio State may face longer odds to land Overton considering he hasn’t visited Columbus while he has made visits to Alabama and South Carolina, but he remains on the market at a position where the Buckeyes have a need with only two total defensive linemen committed to their 2024 recruiting class.
