The Ohio State football season ended with a whimper about an hour before the ball dropped on New Year's Eve. The 24-14 loss to Miami in the Cotton Bowl was embarrassing for many reasons, but it ended the Buckeyes' bid to win back-to-back national championships.
With the season over, players will start to flood the Transfer Portal. Ohio State had already lost Bryson Rodgers to the portal, but the Ohio State Buckeyes quickly lost two other players. One player even announced his intentions to leave as soon as the game ended.
That player is tight end Jelani Thurman. Thurman has always been seen as a tight end with immense talent, but he just has never been able to stay healthy enough to get on the field. He leaves after three years with the Buckeyes. Meanwhile, Ohio State also loses Lincoln Kienholz.
Ohio State football team loses Lincoln Kienholz to the Transfer Portal
Kienholz made it pretty clear before the Cotton Bowl that he was leaning towards entering the portal. With Julian Sayin still in front of him, and with Tavien St. Clair already pushing him for the backup spot, it makes sense for Kienholz to move on his way to a new program.
Neither of these losses is a huge one for Ohio State. Both players will likely be afforded more playing time wherever they end up. Kienholz needs an opportunity to start so he can try to make the NFL. Thurman just needs some real reps in games that matter.
These won't be the only two Buckeyes that declare for the portal with the season now finished. Expect at least a handful more to enter the portal in the next two weeks. The Transfer Portal officially opens on Friday, so it will be flooded very soon with players from all different programs.
Ohio State certainly needs to take a look at the portal for several positions heading into next season.