The deadline for players to enter the 2025 NFL Draft or transfer portal has passed. Ohio State’s 2024-25 national championship team was one of the best in the program’s history, but now it’s time to focus on the 2025 season and see which players are staying and which are leaving Columbus.
The 2025 Ohio State football roster will look quite different. After winning the national championship, the Buckeyes had to work hard to keep their roster and coaching staff intact.
However, many seniors who returned to the program to achieve their goals will now be moving on. Ohio State can still add players to the roster before the season, but they must wait until the 10-day window after spring practice, between April 16 and 25.
Here is a breakdown of the players entering and leaving the program, and a preview of the 2025 roster.
NFL Draft Entrants and Seniors
Ohio State will need to find a new starting quarterback, as fifth-year transfer Will Howard is entering the NFL Draft. The Buckeyes will also replace their entire starting defensive line.
Defensive ends Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau, along with defensive tackles Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton, are all seniors and will move on to the next level.
Several other seniors will depart, including defensive backs Lathan Ransom, Denzel Burke, and Jordan Hancock, linebacker Cody Simon, offensive tackles Donovan Jackson and Josh Fryar, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, running back TreVeyon Henderson, and tight end Gee Scott Jr.
Junior offensive lineman Josh Simmons, who had his season cut short due to a knee injury, has also declared for the draft.
Running back Quinshon Judkins, who spent just one season at Ohio State, will forgo his senior season to declare for the NFL Draft. Transfer center Seth McLaughlin, a Rimington Trophy winner, will also enter the draft.
Transferred Out of Ohio State
With a strong quarterback group last season, it’s no surprise that two scholarship quarterbacks entered the transfer portal. Devin Brown, who stayed with the team through the postseason, is transferring to Cal, while Air Noland is moving to South Carolina.
Offensive lineman George Fitzpatrick is transferring to Kansas State, and Zen Michalski, who had notable playing time last season, will move to Indiana within the Big Ten.
Several other players have entered the transfer portal, including safety Jaden Bonsu (to Pitt), linebacker Gabe Powers (to Kansas State), cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt (to Baylor), and defensive lineman Mitchell Melton (to Virginia). After three seasons at Ohio State, defensive tackle Hero Kanu has entered the portal.
Wide receiver Jayden Ballard is transferring to Wisconsin, while Kojo Antwi will join Colorado State. Running back Sam Williams-Dixon has entered the portal without announcing his next destination, and tight end Patrick Gurd is also in the portal.
Transfer Portal Additions
Ohio State is adding Max Klare, a tight end from Purdue, to their already talented tight end group. Klare was the best tight end available in the portal, catching 51 passes for 685 yards and four touchdowns last season.
With only one scholarship running back returning from the 2024-25 roster, James Peoples, Ohio State has added West Virginia running back CJ Donaldson, who is expected to be a leader in the backfield alongside Peoples.
The Buckeyes have also picked up offensive tackle Phillip Daniels from Minnesota, offensive tackle Ethan Onianwa from Rice, linebacker Ty Howard from Duquesne, and defensive end Logan George from Idaho.
Notable Returning Players
Two important junior defensive players had decisions to make about the NFL Draft and both decided to return for another year with the Buckeyes.
Cornerback Davison Igbinosun will stay for his senior season, providing a significant boost to the secondary. Last season, Igbinosun recorded 45 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, and nine pass breakups.
Junior linebacker Sonny Styles has also announced his return for his senior year. He finished the season with 100 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, five pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
With defensive coordinator Jim Knowles likely moving to Penn State next season, Ohio State will need to find new leadership. However, they will retain key veteran players in safety Caleb Downs, cornerback Igbinosun, and linebacker Styles.
There were rumors about NIL offers to wide receivers Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith, but both players reassured fans on Twitter that they would remain with Ohio State.
