Five offensive linemen Ohio State should target from the transfer portal

As Ohio State gears up for the playoffs, they also need to bolster their offensive line through the transfer portal due to Justin Frye's lack of numbers in recruiting. Frye has signed 10 players in the past three years and just had a 2023 recruit in Miles Walker enter the portal. Here are five talented offensive linemen currently in the transfer portal that the Buckeyes should seriously consider offering, all of whom bring significant experience and skill to the table.

1. Josh Thompson, Northwestern (Inside Offensive Lineman, redshirt senior)

Josh Thompson, hailing from Fenton, Michigan, has been a versatile force on Northwestern’s offensive line. Over his career, he has started 21 games, including time at both tackle and guard. In 2023, he started at right tackle but shifted back inside to guard in 2024, which turned out to be a game-changer. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 301 pounds, Thompson projects as a guard at the next level, making him a potential asset for Ohio State.

His switch from tackle to guard saw significant improvements in his performance, with his Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades in both pass blocking and run blocking jumping nearly 20 points. According to Pete Nakos of On3 Sports, Thompson has already scheduled visits to Michigan State, Auburn, and Ohio State, among others. His combination of size, experience, and versatility will make him a valuable addition to a lot of teams in college football.

2. Isaiah World, Nevada (Offensive Tackle, redshirt senior)

Isaiah World is one of the most sought-after offensive tackles in the transfer portal, and for good reason. At 6-foot-8 and 309 pounds, World is a towering presence who has started 35 games for Nevada without allowing a sack this past season. His durability is impressive, having started every game in both 2023 and 2024, which shows his reliability and resilience on the field.

World’s PFF grades reflect his growth as a pass protector, posting an 82.2 pass-blocking grade in 2024, which ranked third among tackles in the Mountain West and tied for 26th nationally. Steve Wiltfong of On3 Sports reports that powerhouse programs like Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Oregon are expected to reach out to World. His size, consistency, and pass-protection skills make him an ideal candidate for Ohio State’s tackle rotation.

3. Taran Tyo, Ball State (Inside Offensive Lineman, redshirt senior)

Greenville, Ohio native Taran Tyo stands at 6-foot-4 and 326 pounds, projecting as a guard at his next stop. He primarily played right tackle for Ball State in 2024 but showed his versatility by switching to right guard for the season finale against Bowling Green, where his PFF pass-blocking grade improved significantly. His overall 2024 PFF grades were solid, with an 81 in pass blocking and 71.7 in run blocking.

Tyo did allow seven sacks over the course of the season, but his performance down the stretch was much improved, giving up just one sack and one quarterback hurry in his final four games. According to Bill Kuerlic of 247 Sports' Bucknuts, Ohio State’s assistant offensive line coach, Mike Sollenne, has already reached out to Tyo. With upcoming visits to Cincinnati and North Carolina, Ohio State should push to get him on campus, as his versatility and late-season improvement could make him a valuable depth piece on the interior line.

4. Luke Baklenko, Stanford (Offensive Tackle, junior)

Stanford’s Luke Baklenko offers a true tackle body at 6-foot-6 and 305 pounds. He started five games at left tackle as a sophomore and transitioned to starting 10 games at right tackle in 2024. While Baklenko’s overall PFF grades may not stand out, he did have standout performances against top-tier opponents like Clemson, Notre Dame, NC State, and Louisville, where he allowed zero sacks and only one quarterback pressure per game.

Baklenko told a 247 Sports' Recruiting Analyst, Greg Biggins, that he has scheduled visits to Michigan State and Oklahoma but has yet to secure a visit to Ohio State. Given his Power 4 experience and flashes of potential in key matchups, Ohio State would be wise to express interest in the junior, especially with their need for depth at tackle.

5. Xavior Gray, Liberty (Offensive Tackle, redshirt senior)

Xavior Gray is a massive presence on the offensive line at 6-foot-8 and 340 pounds. A Massillon, Ohio native, Gray began his career at Akron before transferring to Liberty. He has played six seasons of college football and has logged nearly 900 snaps at left tackle and over 1,350 snaps at right tackle, giving him extensive experience on both sides of the line.

While Gray has never posted a season total pass-blocking grade higher than 65, he significantly improved his run-blocking in 2024, earning a 77.9 PFF grade, which was the best among tackles in Conference USA and ranked in the top 20 nationally.

Perhaps most impressive is his dedication to improving—Gray has lost over 200 pounds in two seasons after arriving at Liberty, transforming his body for better athletic performance. According to Bill Kuerlic of 247 Sports' Bucknuts, Gray has not heard from Ohio State but would be interested if they reached out.

With scholarship offers from Northwestern and Miami (FL) and interest from Iowa State, Ohio State should consider adding Gray’s unique blend of size, experience, and run-blocking prowess to its tackle depth.

Conclusion

Ohio State has an opportunity to add much-needed experience and versatility to its offensive line through the transfer portal. Offering these five players—Josh Thompson, Isaiah World, Taran Tyo, Luke Baklenko, and Xavior Gray—would be a great place to start in the transfer portal, as signing top-quality offensive linemen is a must-do this offseason.