The Ohio State football program lost plenty of players to the Transfer Portal in the offseason. In fact, they lost over 30 players, which was a much larger number than any previous year with the portal. It was startling to see that many Buckeyes decided to leave the program in one offseason.
While there were plenty of Ohio State Buckeyes who decided to head out, there are still a few who were on the fence but decided to stay. These three Buckeyes likely regret their decision to stay in Columbus because of a lack of playing time in their future.
1. Eddrick Houston
Eddrick Houston started out the 2025 season as a starting defensive tackle. He was one of the most talented defensive linemen that the Buckeyes had on their roster this past season. However, he had a very rocky year, losing his starting job before eventually winning it back.
With 2025 being such a tumultuous season, Houston decided to stick it out next year. It's someone surprising, since Tywone Malone took his starting spot after he made some boneheaded plays. Perhaps Houston believes he will be a bigger part of the game plan next year. He certainly has the talent.
2. Deontae Armstrong
Former three-star offensive line recruit Deontae Armstrong is back with the program for another year. He came in from the 2024 recruiting class, along with his brother. Devontae Armstrong decided to head for the Transfer Portal and left his brother behind at Ohio State.
Deontae might regret joining his brother soon enough. His path to playing time is not clear for next season, with Ohio State bringing back four starters up front. He might never be able to become a starter. Maybe that doesn't matter to him. Perhaps just being a Buckeye is good enough.
3. Anthony Turbo Rogers
Turbo Rogers was one of the most exciting recruits that Ohio State brought in from the 2025 recruiting class. Rogers is a running back who hasn't seen a lot of playing time yet. While the Buckeyes lost quite a few running backs to the portal this offseason, Rogers wasn't one of them.
Rogers' path to playing time has gotten much tougher in the past year. With Bo Jackson entrenched as the starter and Isaiah West as the backup, it's going to be very hard for Rogers to find snaps over the next couple of seasons. Yet, he decided to stick it out.