College football changed forever when the transfer portal was introduced. Suddenly, players could instantly transfer anywhere they wanted with immediate eligibility. The Ohio State football team has benefitted from the portal just like everyone else in the country.
The difference with the Buckeyes is that they don't use the portal to build their roster. They use the portal to fill holes on the roster. Most of their roster was built from high school recruiting. The Buckeyes have really hit well on the transfers they've brought in.
Ryan Day has done a good job of adding the right guys into the program. Anyone would have been smart enough to bring in Caleb Downs, but he wasn't the only key transfer this season. Almost every single transfer they brought in this year helped them win the national championship.
Ryan Day brought in multiple key Ohio State football players from the portal
Will Howard was the leader on offense all season long. He was a clear upgrade from Kyle McCord at the quarterback position. Seth McLaughlin was the best center in the country before he got hurt. Quinshon Judkins ran for over 1,000 yards this year and had three touchdowns in the National Championship Game.
It wasn't just the number of transfers that the Ohio State Buckeyes brought in. It was the quality of those transfers and the positions they played. The guys Day has brought in over the years have all had a purpose. This year's group of guys helped them win a national title.
This is one of the most underrated things about Day as a coach. He has already added a few guys from the portal for next year's team as well. Day has adapted to the new landscape of college football. He is as good of a roster-builder as there is in the sport.