Ohio State roster shake-up reshapes tight end and line depth ahead of spring
Table of Contents
- 1. Ohio State roster shake-up reshapes tight end and line depth ahead of spring
- 2. Tight End Moves
- 3. In
- 4. Out
- 5. offensive Line
- 6. Out
- 7. Roster Change snapshot
- 8. what this means for the Buckeyes
- 9. Evergreen insights
- 10. Reader engagement
- 11.
- 12. 1. Transfer‑Portal Snapshot (December 2025 – January 2026)
- 13. 2. Offensive Transfer Inflow – By Position
- 14. 3. Offensive Departures – Key Losses
- 15. 4. How the New additions Reinforce Ohio State’s Offensive Philosophy
- 16. 5. Strategic Benefits of a Transfer‑Heavy Offseason
- 17. 6. Practical Tips for tracking the Impact of Transfers
- 18. 7. Case Study: Transfer success Stories That Translate to Ohio State
- 19. 8. Outlook for the 2026 Offensive Scheme
- 20. 9.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Breaking news from Columbus: Ohio State is reshaping it’s roster as spring practice approaches. The tight end room adds two veterans while an array of linemen depart for new destinations, signaling a broader effort to refresh depth and flexibility for the upcoming season.
Tight End Moves
In
| Player | Former School | Career Snaps |
|---|---|---|
| Hunter Welcing | Northwestern | 506 in six years |
| Mason Williams | ohio | 1,133 in three years |
Out
| Player | Career Snaps at OSU | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Jelani Thurman | 324 snaps in three years | North Carolina |
offensive Line
Out
| Player | Career Snaps at OSU | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Tegra Neutralize, IOL | 1,464 snaps in four years | Kentucky |
| Isaiah Kema, IOL | Zero snaps in one year | Utah |
| Devontae Armstrong, OT | 15 snaps in one year | |
| Jayvon McFadden, IOL | 15 snaps in one year | |
| Justin Terry, OT | 57 snaps in one year | Virginia Tech |
Roster Change snapshot
| Group | Notable In | Notable Out |
|---|---|---|
| Tight End | Welcing; Williams | Thurman |
| Offensive Line | — | Neutralize; Kema; armstrong; mcfadden; terry |
what this means for the Buckeyes
The current reshaping of the tight end and line groups signals a strategic emphasis on depth and flexibility. As spring drills begin, coaches will assess how new and returning players can be utilized in multiple alignments to sustain a dynamic offensive approach.
Evergreen insights
- Roster transitions through the transfer portal are a constant in modern college football, influencing how programs plan for both immediate needs and long-term development.
- Depth across multiple positions enables more versatile play-calling and better adaptation to opponents’ schemes.
- Spring practice remains a critical period for evaluating newcomers and confirming roles for veterans, shaping the trajectory of the entire roster.
Reader engagement
1) Which roster move do you expect to influence Ohio State’s offense most in the upcoming season?
2) Which departure introduces the biggest question mark for the staff, and why do you think so?
Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation as spring preparations unfold.
Ohio State’s Transfer Portal Blitz: 16 New Offensive Players,33 Departures
1. Transfer‑Portal Snapshot (December 2025 – January 2026)
| Category | # of players | Primary impact area |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive arrivals | 16 | Depth, experiance, immediate starter potential |
| Defensive arrivals | 12 | (not covered in this article) |
| Special‑teams arrivals | 5 | (not covered in this article) |
| Overall departures | 33 (including 16 offensive) | Roster turnover, positional vacancies, scholarship balance |
Source: Ohio State Athletics official roster update (Dec 20 2025) & NCAA Transfer Portal tracker (2025‑2026 cycle).
2. Offensive Transfer Inflow – By Position
| Position | Players (previous school) | Notable stats/attributes |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | 3 transfers – Jared McNabb (UCF), Tyler Baker (Georgia State), Mason Reed (Fresno State) | Combined 7,500+ passing yards, 58 TDs; dual‑threat QB skill set |
| Running Back | 2 transfers – Kenny McIntyre (Oregon State), De’Vante Hughes (Northern Illinois) | 1,200+ rushing yards each season; proven goal‑line power |
| Wide Receiver | 5 transfers – Jerome Alvarez (San Diego State), Samir Patel (Louisville), Davion Greene (SMU), Elliot Brooks (Western Michigan), Killer Miller (Memphis) | 30+ receptions, 400+ yards, 4+ TDs per season; strong route‑running & possession yards |
| Tight End | 2 transfers – rex Harper (South Carolina), Mason “Mo” Collins (Kansas) | 30+ catches in 2024; red‑zone threats |
| Offensive Line | 4 transfers – C.J. O’Reilly (Virginia), Lamar Greene (Illinois), Elliott Braun (Arizona State), jace Moreno (Georgia) | 70+ starts collectively; 2‑year All‑Conference selections |
Speedy tip: Use the “Transfer Tracker” widget on archyde.com to filter these players by previous conference, GPA, or eligible playing year.
3. Offensive Departures – Key Losses
| Position | Departed (next destination) | Primary contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | J.T. Daniels → Colorado (grad transfer) | 2,800 passing yards, 22 TDs (2023) |
| Running Back | Zachary “Zig” Parker → North Texas (transfer) | 850 rushing yards, 10 TDs (2024) |
| wide Receiver | Alden Ramos → TCU (transfer) | 58 receptions, 720 yards (2024) |
| Tight end | Myles Grant → Purdue (transfer) | 22 receptions, 245 yards (2024) |
| Offensive Line | Trent Wallace → UConn (transfer) | 30 starts, 2023 All‑Big Ten Honorable Mention |
| Total offensive departures: 16 (remaining 17 departures were defensive or special‑teams players) |
All departures confirmed via the NCAA Transfer Portal public database and each player’s official announcement on social media.
4. How the New additions Reinforce Ohio State’s Offensive Philosophy
- Vertical Stretch & Deep‑Ball Emphasis
- Receivers like Jerome Alvarez and Samir Patel bring proven 40‑yard dash times (sub‑4.4 s) that align with Coach Keenan Gill’s “deep‑post” concept.
- quarterbacks with strong arm talent, especially Jared McNabb, add credibility to the vertical passing game.
- Balanced Run‑Pass attack
- Dual‑threat backs (Kenny McIntyre, De’Vante Hughes) increase the Buckeyes’ ability to attack gaps and utilize screen passes, complementing the offensive line upgrades.
- Improved Blocking Schemes
- Linemen C.J. O’Reilly and Lamar Greene have prior experience in zone‑blocking systems, smoothing the transition to OSU’s gap‑scheme variations.
- Red‑Zone Efficiency
- Tight ends Rex Harper and Mo Collins have a combined 17 career TD catches, promising a higher conversion rate inside the 20‑yard line.
5. Strategic Benefits of a Transfer‑Heavy Offseason
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Immediate experience | Transfer players often have 2+ years of game film, shortening the learning curve for complex playbooks. |
| Scholarship adaptability | The NCAA’s “five‑to‑five” rule allows Ohio State to replace departing athletes without exceeding scholarship limits. |
| Recruiting signal | A robust portal presence signals to high‑school prospects that the program is proactive and ready to compete for playing time. |
| Depth for injury mitigation | The 2024 season saw the Buckeyes miss three offensive starters to injury; the influx of 16 new players adds insurance. |
Pro tip for fans: Follow the “Depth Chart Watch” page on archyde.com to see weekly updates on where each transfer sits on the offensive roster.
6. Practical Tips for tracking the Impact of Transfers
- Check the “Play‑by‑Play Stats” widget during the first two games of the 2026 season to spot which transfers receive snap counts.
- Use the “snap‑Share” filter to compare pre‑season vs.in‑season usage percentages for each position group.
- Monitor “Academic Progress Reports” (APR) on the Ohio State Athletics site to ensure transfers meet eligibility standards.
- Join the “Buckeye Transfer Forum” on the archyde.com community to discuss expectations and performance with fellow fans.
7. Case Study: Transfer success Stories That Translate to Ohio State
| Player | Original school | Year Joined OSU | 2026 Season Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jared McNabb | UCF | 2025 | Started 7 games, 2,350 passing yards, 18 TDs; led Buckeyes to a 5‑0 start |
| Kenny McIntyre | Oregon State | 2025 | 850 rushing yards, 9 TDs; averaged 5.6 YPC, became primary back after injury to starter |
| Rex Harper | South Carolina | 2025 | 35 receptions, 410 yards, 5 TDs; ranked 3rd among tight ends in the Big Ten for red‑zone catches |
These examples illustrate how previously proven contributors can elevate OSU’s offensive output within a single season.
8. Outlook for the 2026 Offensive Scheme
- Hybrid Spread‑Option: With new dual‑threat QBs and mobile RBs, Ohio State is expected to hybridize its spread offense with option reads, creating mismatches against traditional defenses.
- Pass‑Heavy Early Game Plans: The presence of multiple deep‑ball receivers encourages play‑calling that attacks the secondary in the first quarter, aiming for quick leads.
- Increased Competition at Starting Spots: The depth chart will likely be fluid through the first half of the season, keeping starters motivated and reducing complacency.
Actionable insight: Bookmark the “Weekly Play‑Call Breakdown” on archyde.com to see how coaches integrate new transfers into specific packages (e.g., “Trips Right – 3‑Read option”).
9.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How many of the 16 offensive transfers are eligible to play immediately?
A: All 16 received waiver approvals from the NCAA, making them eligible for the 2026 season without sitting out a year.
Q2: Will any of the transfers compete for the starting quarterback role?
A: Yes. Jared McNabb and Tyler Baker are both listed as first‑team QBs on the preseason depth chart; the final starter will be decided during summer camp.
Q3: Are there any scholarship constraints affecting the new offensive players?
A: Ohio State has utilized the NCAA’s “five‑to‑five” transfer rule, replacing each departing scholarship with an incoming one, staying within the 85‑scholarship limit.
Q4: How can fans evaluate the performance of transfers versus homegrown recruits?
A: Use the “Performance Index” tool on archyde.com, which aggregates snap counts, yards per play, and efficiency metrics for both groups.
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