Ohio State football: How new transfer rule affects OSU

With the new transfer rule in effect, the Ohio State football program is sure to be affected both positively and negatively.

The Ohio State football program has utilized the transfer portal well over the last few years. They were able to grab a great offensive lineman in Jonah Jackson. They also got a solid running back last season in Trey Sermon. Of course, the best use of the portal was grabbing Justin Fields.

A new rule change will put the transfer portal into the spotlight even more. Recently, the NCAA allowed a one-time transfer rule without penalty. That means any player can transfer and be eligible to play immediately without having to sit out a season one time.

Ohio State can definitely use that to their advantage depending on the year. If they need help with depth at any position, they can use the portal to help and get them immediately eligible. I could see that happening at a position like quarterback or running back.

This will also have some drawbacks for the Buckeyes. Whichever quarterbacks don’t win the starting job this season could leave immediately and play somewhere else instead. That would hurt the depth in the room and they may end up having to face either quarterback.

This year, it might be tough to utilize this new rule. With the pandemic still going on, it might be hard to get a new player into the program right away and get him up to speed on the playbook before the Fall rolls around. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen, but it will be a little tougher.

If any coach can figure out how to use this new rule properly, it’s Ryan Day. Day has proven that he can recruit both high school players and transfers. If there is a player out there who can help this team win immediately, Day will find them and bring them in.

This is a rule that will certainly affect the fabric of college football as we know it.