We are firmly in the era of the transfer portal, and Ohio State football has seen some player go and some get welcomed into the program.
There is no doubt that during the winter transfer window, the Buckeyes gained some high-impact transfers from across the country. The big additions included former Alabama safety Caleb Downs and quarterback Julian Sayin, Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins and Kansas State quarterback Will Howard.
As the dust has settled, Brad Crawford of 247Sports looked at which transfers have the most to prove this season. Check out below which current and former Buckeyes made his list.
Center Seth McLaughlin
Breakdown
The offensive lineman joined Downs and Sayin in moving north to Columbus from Alabama. Crawford knows McLaughlin has experience. He started for two seasons while playing four. His biggest question mark is the snapping inconsistencies we saw during the Rose Bowl. McLaughlin can be an elite lineman, he just has to be consistent.
Wide receiver Julian Fleming
JAMES FRANKLIN on Ohio State WR transfer and PA native JULIAN FLEMING: “There’s familiarity and comfort there” on both sides. pic.twitter.com/M5Ljv26tUo
— Mike Poorman (@PSUPoorman) February 13, 2024
Breakdown
The former five-star prospect never lived up to the hype in Columbus. This offseason Fleming went back home, transferring to Penn State. Crawford sees him as a veteran that can finally play to what everyone thought he was, but he regressed this past year after a career best during his junior campaign. Does Fleming have a big season in him before he exhausts his eligibility?
Quarterback Kyle McCord
ICYMI, new @CuseFootball QB Kyle McCord joined me and @ADavidHaleJoint on All-ACC @accnetwork and discussed his relationship with coach Fran Brown and why he wanted to play for him. pic.twitter.com/KR53tpDzHa
— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) January 23, 2024
Breakdown
McCord left for a multitude of reasons, mainly due to Ryan Day not guaranteeing him the starting position come this fall. After an up-and-down season, why would he? Crawford sees McCord as “the hot commodity with pressure to perform alongside a first-year coach” at Syracuse. If he couldn’t handle the pressure in Columbus, can he with the Orange?
Running back Chip Trayanum
Ohio State running back transfer DeaMonte “Chip” Trayanum looks like an absolute tank. 😳 pic.twitter.com/Bcl4crTNbD
— Cats Coverage (@Cats_Coverage) January 26, 2024
Breakdown
The third school of Trayanum’s career, he finally carved a solid role with the Buckeyes but with the addition of Quinshon Judkins and the return of TreVeyon Henderson, the carries just weren’t there. Crawford gets punny with his analysis, saying “no running back in the SEC will play with a bigger chip on his shoulder.”
Overview
Friendly reminder that Seth McLaughlin has played 1,823 snaps in 3 seasons (all at Center)
He has allowed 1 (!!!) sack in 3 full seasons
Don’t let a couple bad snaps push a narrative on this guy
He’s an immediate upgrade#OhioState pic.twitter.com/aHdyy1MHF8
— Ohio Divided (@BuckeyeNatty) February 16, 2024
My thoughts
Crawford is spot on with McLaughlin, he needs to clean up his snapping issues so Howard can be in sync with the rest of the offense. As for the Buckeye departures, McCord could have a good season, but the blanket of Marvin Harrison Jr. is gone. His inconsistent play was his biggest downfall.
Fleming is an addition by subtraction, as he battled injuries, and with him gone, it allows the younger, higher upside Buckeye wide receivers to get on the field more. As for Trayanum, I see him having a huge season. The talent was there, it was just hard to crack the Ohio State running back lineup. He’ll be the unquestioned lead back for the Wildcat offense.
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