Ohio State's 2025 football season ended abruptly, leading to a significant exodus of players from the program. With 36 players, including 31 scholarship players, leaving the team, the Buckeyes faced the challenge of replacing key contributors for the 2026 season. Among the departing players were several defensive transfers who have now found new homes across college football. In this article, we'll take a closer look at where these transfers landed and what their potential impact could be at their new schools.
EDGE C.J. HICKS - SOUTH FLORIDA
Hicks, a former highly touted recruit from Archbishop Alter in Dayton, Ohio, never lived up to the hype during his four seasons with the Buckeyes. Despite discussions about whether this would be his year each offseason, he consistently struggled to break into the starting lineup. Eventually, he moved to defensive end to try to get on the field more, but still saw limited playing time. After a redshirt season, he entered the transfer portal and landed at South Florida, where he reunited with former Buckeye offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline, who is now the Bulls' head coach.
Hicks is in line for more playing time at South Florida than he saw as a Buckeye and could be used as a pass-rush specialist in Josh Aldridge's defense. While he won't start, he should be used alongside run-stopper Michael Williams. Hicks' fresh start at South Florida offers him a chance to prove himself and contribute to the team's success.
DL TRAJEN ODOM - ARKANSAS
Odom, a three-star prospect from Matthews, North Carolina, committed to the Buckeyes in the summer of 2024. After his first offseason at Ohio State, it was clear he wouldn't make an immediate impact, playing behind several established players. As a freshman, he played in three games on defense for the Buckeyes, recorded no stats, and redshirted before entering the transfer portal in January and committing to Arkansas.
In his first offseason in Fayetteville, Odom demonstrated why he earned an offer from the Buckeyes. He was productive throughout the spring, and it seems he will have a role as a redshirt freshman for the Razorbacks. While he may not start for defensive coordinator Ron Roberts, he is projected as the primary backup to fourth-year junior Hunter Osborne, a Virginia transfer who began his career at Alabama.
EDGE JOSHUA MICKENS - UNCONN
Mickens, a top-20 edge rusher and the No. 1 player from Indiana in the 2023 recruiting class, arrived at Ohio State with an impressive résumé but never translated it into production for the Buckeyes. During his three seasons in Columbus, he was behind several established players, playing a career-high 44 defensive snaps last season before entering the transfer portal and committing to UConn.
Mickens was one of 64 players the Huskies added this offseason, as they look to build on back-to-back 9-4 seasons. While he didn't play as much as he would have liked for the Buckeyes, Mickens brings experience from being coached by defensive line coach Larry Johnson and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, as well as from going against some of the best offensive players in the country. This will help him carve out a bigger role at UConn than he was able to at Ohio State.
SAF CODY HADDAD - IOWA
Haddad, a three-star prospect from Cleveland, was originally committed to Wisconsin before flipping to Ohio State. When he arrived on campus, he stepped into a loaded safety room featuring talented players, including starters Caleb Downs and Jaylen McClain, as well as more experienced backups. It was always going to be an uphill battle for Haddad to see the field early, and he did not see the field as a freshman, redshirting before entering the transfer portal in January and committing to Iowa.
Haddad's path to regular playing time won't be easy in Iowa City. Former James Madison safety Tyler Brown has two years of experience and is expected to start alongside senior Zach Lutmer. The two have a combined 178 career tackles, compared with zero for Haddad. It appears Haddad will feature on special teams and in a depth role for the Hawkeyes this season, then compete for a spot on defense in 2026.
SAF FAHEEM DELANE - LSU
Delane, a four-star prospect and the No. 8 safety in the 2025 recruiting class, generated excitement about what he would bring to the Buckeye safety room. However, with Downs entrenched at one spot and McClain winning the other, there was little playing time for other safeties in 2025, and Delane played 81 defensive snaps. Near the end of last season, Delane saw less playing time as Leroy Roker III emerged and elected to enter the transfer portal, committing to LSU, where his brother, Mansoor, played his final collegiate season.
Delane showed his versatility in his first offseason as a Tiger and could play safety or nickel this fall. LSU has limited depth in the secondary, particularly after Aidan Anding tore his Achilles in the spring. Delane acquitted himself well in spring practice and will compete for snaps this fall. Even if he ends up in a backup role, he should have a clearer path to playing time than he did with the Buckeyes.
DL ERIC MENSAH - VIRGINIA TECH
Mensah, a three-star prospect from Stafford, Virginia, spent two seasons with the Buckeyes but struggled to earn meaningful playing time. The defensive lineman appeared in four non-conference games during his time in Columbus but could not climb the depth chart. Following the 2025 season, Mensah entered the transfer portal and returned closer to home, committing to Virginia Tech, where he had originally committed before flipping to the Buckeyes.
Mensah showed his ability in the spring, recording 1.5 sacks and a pass breakup in the spring game. While he may not start in his first season in Blacksburg, he will compete for playing time and could be part of the defensive tackle rotation. He will have to compete with a group that includes Kemari Copeland, Elhadj Fall, Mylachi Williams, Randy Adirika, and Jason Abbey.
SAF MALIK HARTFORD - UCLA
Hartford, a four-star prospect and one of the top safeties in the 2023 recruiting class, was a player with plenty of potential, and many expected him to man the back end of Ohio State's defense during his college career. However, after serving as a backup for his first two seasons in Columbus, Hartford lost the offseason battle to McClain heading into 2025 and played only 38 defensive snaps to preserve his redshirt. Following the season, Hartford entered the transfer portal, seeking more playing time and hoping to find it at UCLA.
In his first offseason in Los Angeles, Hartford was a limited participant as he recovered from surgery. Coming out of spring, it seemed that Cole Martin and Tao Johnson had locked down the starting safety spots in Colin Hitschler's defense. However, Hartford had his moments, showing that his ability to play at a high level remains. He is in a deep and talented safety room and will continue to compete with Martin, Johnson, Ta'Shawn James, Ty Lee, and Logan Hirouonce fall camp begins, but should see playing time for the Bruins on defense while being a key contributor on special teams.
DL JARQUEZ CARTER - MAIMI
Carter came to the Buckeyes as a three-star prospect who would need time to develop into a potential impact player in Columbus. The Newberry, Florida, native spent one season with the Scarlet and Gray, playing in seven games -- the most among the four-man starting rotation -- but never made meaningful contributions. Shortly after the season ended, Carter entered the transfer portal and returned to his home state, committing to Miami.
After defeating Ohio State en route to the national championship game last season, the Hurricanes retooled the defensive line following the departures of Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor. Among the additions was Carter, who received praise in the spring from defensive tackles coach Damione Lewis for adapting to a new defensive system and for his work ethic. While Carter appears poised for a role in his first season on South Beach, it is likely to come as part of a rotation on the defensive line behind more experienced players such as Ahmad Moten Sr., Justin Scott, and Armondo Blount.
SAF KEENAN NELSON JR. - GEORGIA STATE
Nelson, a transfer from South Carolina ahead of the 2024 season, was expected to help in the secondary, particularly at nickel. That did not materialize, as Nelson saw only special teams action for the Buckeyes. After his second year in Columbus, Nelson entered the transfer portal in January and moved down to the FBS level, committing to Georgia State.
There is little coverage of the Panthers' offseason and Nelson's performance this spring, but it's hard to imagine a player who has been on the field for the Gamecocks and the Buckeyes not playing a role on Georgia State's defense. Nelson's fresh start at Georgia State offers him a chance to prove himself and contribute to the team's success.
DL MAXWELL ROY - UCLA
Roy, a four-star prospect and a top-40 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class, did not see the field during his freshman season at Ohio State and took a redshirt year. With two of the four top rotation defensive tackles returning for the 2026 season, Roy saw no opportunity to play for the Buckeyes and entered the transfer portal in January, quickly committing to UCLA.
It appears Roy still has work to do to see the field for the Bruins. Coming out of spring practice, Roy was projected to be a reserve defensive lineman who could be used in short-yardage packages. However, there is room for optimism if Roy continues to improve, with five seasons of eligibility remaining. Roy's fresh start at UCLA offers him a chance to develop and contribute to the team's defense.
CB AARON SCOTT JR. - OREGON
Scott, once considered a potential next great Ohio State cornerback from Ohio, never quite found his footing in Columbus. A five-star prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite, Scott played 180 defensive snaps over two years for the Buckeyes but was passed on the depth chart by Jermaine Mathews Jr. and freshman Devin Sanchez last season. Scott saw the writing on the wall and entered the transfer portal, eventually landing at Oregon.
The grass isn't always greener, a lesson Scott may have learned in Eugene. He went from a strong cornerback room with the Buckeyes to a strong one with the Ducks, making it tough to get on the field either way. Scott was burned by Oregon receiver Evan Stewart for an 80-yard touchdown in the spring game, and is expected to be the Ducks' third or fourth corner. There's even speculation that he could move to safety.
CB BRYCE WEST - WISCONSIN
West, like Scott, was a talented Ohio cornerback who came to the Buckeyes with high expectations. He struggled to get on the field, playing 119 snaps in two seasons with the Scarlet and Gray. As with Scott, West saw other players, including the younger Sanchez, begin to get playing time over him and quickly entered the transfer portal after Ohio State's 2025 season. He remains in the Big Ten after transferring to Wisconsin.
West's move to Madison appears to be paying off. Though he's only been a Badger for seven months, the Glenville product has made a strong early impression. Following spring practice, it appears West will be Wisconsin's starting nickel in 2026, replacing Geimere Latimer Jr., who transferred to West Virginia. While he might start at nickel, the Badgers' defensive staff has praised West's versatility, suggesting he could also see action at outside corner.
DE LOGAN GEORGE - WASHINGTON
George began his college career at Utah State and then had a breakout at Idaho State, transferring to Ohio State ahead of the 2025 season. The jump from the FCS to the FBS did not go well for the defensive end, at least in Year 1, as he played in just three games on defense while battling injuries. Not discouraged by his limited playing time at this level, George again entered the transfer portal and committed to Washington.
The injuries have not improved since George moved to Seattle. The defensive end again missed nearly half of spring practice, creating uncertainty about his role with the Huskies heading into the 2026 season. George hopes to return healthy for fall camp, aiming to show what he can do and earn a spot in Washington's defensive end rotation.
EDGE DOMINIC KIRKS - NORTHWESTERN
Kirks was another talented defensive lineman who never made an impact for the Buckeyes. The former four-star prospect spent two years with the Scarlet and Gray, playing only 24 defensive snaps and recording just two total tackles while behind several other defensive ends. This led Kirks to enter the transfer portal before committing to Northwestern.
Kirks was one of several defensive ends the Wildcats brought in via the transfer portal as they look to improve their edge-rushing production. Kirks' experience at Ohio State gives him a leg up, but he still has to prove he can play meaningful snaps in the Big Ten. He is competing with other defensive ends coming out of spring and will have to earn his role during fall camp.
