The Ohio State football team had a bunch of players leave in the Transfer Portal this offseason. 30+ players ended up leaving, leaving the Buckeyes with a lot of holes on the roster. Yet, the Ohio State Buckeyes were able to add close to 20 players of their own.
As Spring ball comes closer, there are some portal players who have a lot to prove with Ryan Day. There are four players in particular who need to prove to Day that they are ready to make an immediate impact.
1. Terry Moore
Terry Moore is a safety from Duke who comes in with a lot to prove. Moore missed the entire 2025 season with a knee injury, so his impact is uncertain. Moore has to prove in spring ball that he is the same player he was when he was healthy, when he was named All-ACC.
With Caleb Downs heading to the NFL, the Buckeyes are looking to Moore to use in a similar role. Moore isn't as good as Downs, of course. He is close to the perfect replacement for Downs, if he's healthy. Day will want to start him if his knee holds up.
2. Kyle Parker
After Ohio State lost a ton of receivers to the portal, they needed to replenish them. Newly hired wide receivers coach Cortex Hankton took a player from his former team, LSU. Hankton brought Kyle Parker with him to Columbus, and Parker has to prove he's ready for playing time.
Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss are locked in as the top two guys next season. Chris Henry Jr. will likely see a lot of time, as well. Parker needs to prove that he can be an effective third or fourth option because Ohio State doesn't have proven depth at wide receiver anymore.
3. Qua Russaw
Former Alabama edge player Qua Russaw is now in Columbus. Russaw was a former five-star recruit who has a lot of raw talent. Yet, he hasn't quite lived up to his billing yet. He needs to prove to Day that he can flourish at the defensive end position as an edge rusher.
Russaw can help the Buckeyes get some pressure on the quarterback. It will be hard to get enough pressure on the quarterback with all of the talent that they are losing on the defensive line. Russaw could be an instant impact player if he plays well during Spring practice.
4. Connor Hawkins
Perhaps no player is more of an exciting Transfer Portal addition than kicker Connor Hawkins from Baylor. It has been so long since the Buckeyes have had a kicker they could count on. Hawkins has a much better track record than Jayden Fielding ever had.
Hawkins has to prove in Spring ball that the Buckeyes didn't make a mistake bringing him in. He has to prove he can make simple kicks, although the team won't truly find out about him until the season actually starts and the pressure turns up.