Ohio State football team misses huge opportunity in the transfer portal

The Ohio State football program missed a massive opportunity to improve a position of need in the transfer portal.
Ohio State Buckeyes place kicker Jayden Fielding (38) kicks a field goal during the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. Michigan won 13-10.
Ohio State Buckeyes place kicker Jayden Fielding (38) kicks a field goal during the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. Michigan won 13-10. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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So far, the Ohio State football team has been very quiet on the transfer portal front. They haven't received a single commitment from the portal yet. While they have been in talks with some players, nothing has borne fruit yet. Meanwhile, solid players are starting to commit elsewhere.

One of the biggest areas of concern on the current roster is the kicker. Jayden Fielding has had major issues this season. We saw those come to fruition against TTUN when he missed two field goals inside of 40 yards. He's clearly not someone who they can rely on.

The Ohio State Buckeyes had an opportunity to grab one of the best, if not the best, kickers in the transfer portal. That kicker is Jesus Gomez. He entered the portal from Eastern Michigan. Gomez was never contacted by the Buckeyes and decided to commit elsewhere.

The Ohio State football team lost an opportunity at landing a quality kicker

Gomez is someone who not only has power, but he has accuracy too. His long this past season for Eastern Michigan was 57 yards and he also hit 80% of his field goal attempts. Instead of Ohio State landing him, he decided to commit to the Arizona State Sun Devils.

I have no idea why the Buckeyes decided not to pursue him. They can't reasonably have faith that Fielding is the answer at that spot. Besides the missed field goals against TTUN, he also kicked the ball out of bounds three straight times on a kickoff against Marshall.

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Ohio State hasn't had a reliable kicker in a while. If they don't get someone else in the portal, they still won't. It's one of the easiest flaws to correct on this roster. Yet, nothing has been done to correct it. Ryan Day needs to start making it a priority.