The Ohio State football team will have their Spring Game next week. It will be the first time that fans get to see this year's version of the team. It will also be the last time that these Buckeyes will have a chance to earn playing time before the Spring transfer portal window opens.
There are a few Buckeyes who are candidates to transfer if the Spring Game doesn't go their way. This is likely going to be the last time that players can transfer in the Spring, so these players have to take advantage of it while they can.
1. Lincoln Kienholz
Lincoln Kienholz is in a battle with Julian Sayin for the starting quarterback role. Make no mistake about it; he is truly battling him for it. It's not a foregone conclusion that Sayin will win the job, even if he is the favorite. Kienholz still has a chance to be more consistent than him and take the job.
If he doesn't, this might be the last chance that Kienholz has to win a starting job. He might be tired of sitting on the bench and decide to leave after the Spring Game. He will only do that if Day indicates that he won't win the job, which may not end up happening.
2. Jason Moore
As a defensive tackle, Jason Moore was expected to fight for playing time at this point in his career. With the entire starting defensive line gone from last season, the opportunity is certainly there. Unfortunately for him, it doesn't look like he is very high up on the depth chart.
Moore is now a junior, so the opportunity for playing time is getting slim. He might not even be one of the backup defensive tackles. If he ends up being on the third string, he could opt to transfer elsewhere to try to get more playing time.
3. Malik Hartford
Malik Hartford is another player who is fighting for a starting job. He is battling Jaylen McClain for the starting safety spot opposite Caleb Downs. He certainly has a shot to become the starting safety next to Downs as he plays his final collegiate season before heading to the NFL.
If he doesn't win the job, things could get very hard for him very quickly. The Buckeyes just got the top-rated safety in the class of 2026. They also landed a high four-star safety and are in the mix for another one. They could pass up Hartford in the depth chart, especially Blaine Bradford.
It wouldn't be shocking if any of these players decided to leave the Ohio State Buckeyes following the Spring Game. They also could stay with the team, depending on how the Spring finishes.