The Ohio State football program is currently in roster evaluation process following the Spring Game. They are examining the footage from that game and finding out who is going to be getting playing time as the roster is now formed. Surprisingly, the Buckeyes haven’t had a lot of guys enter the transfer portal.
Just two guys have left the Buckeyes this Spring. Because of that, they haven’t been extremely active on the transfer portal. They haven’t looked to grab any guys right now. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t or won’t. There are guys that can surely help this club right now.
There are three guys that I have my eye on who could aid the Buckeyes. Two of these men have a chance to fight for significant playing time while one of them would likely be a backup from the very start. He would still be a pretty wonderful future element for this Ohio State football team to have.
Let’s start with someone who is incredibly good but would likely be a backup this season.
1. Damien Martinez
Ohio State already went into the transfer portal after the season concluded and obtained Quinshon Judkins as a running back stud. He is going to be half of a two-headed monster with TreVeyon Henderson. The Buckeyes might have the finest one-two punch in the conference.
Despite having two freshmen perform well in the Spring Game, they don’t have any experience behind those two backs. If either of them gets harmed, they could be in serious trouble. That’s why it wouldn’t be a bad idea to travel into the portal to acquire a guy with some expertise.
Damien Martinez is the best version of it. The running back from Oregon State ran for 1,185 yards and 9 touchdowns for the Beavers last season. He certainly put those stats up while he was a starter, thus he wouldn’t put anywhere near those numbers being a third-string back.
That’s what would make the argument to convince him to come to Columbus so challenging. He would be a third-string back after being a high-level starter. He probably wouldn’t even be the starter in 2025 once Henderson leaves after next year. That job belongs to Judkins.
Martinez landing in Columbus is a pipe dream. He would be the most overqualified third-string running back ever now that Dallan Hayden is gone. The next player on this list is more realistic to land and could be a starter as soon as next season.
2. Jason Zandamela
The biggest need for this Ohio State football team is offensive linemen. That’s true for this season and the future. Some questionable recruiting classes have the Buckeyes stuck with guys that they haven’t been able to rely on. That’s part of the reason why Justin Frye’s job was in jeopardy following the 2023 season.
Adding a player like Jason Zandamela would help the future of the offensive line room. He’s a freshman in the 2024 class who enrolled at USC and decided to transfer immediately, a little like Julian Sayin. The difference is USC’s coach didn’t retire
Despite the unusual circumstances, Zandamela is a highly talented player still. He’s a four-star recruit as an interior offensive lineman and would aid the Buckeyes at the guard slot. While I don’t think he could contend for the starting right guard position this year, he would be in a position to fight for the starting left guard spot next season.
Ohio State has a lot of experience recruiting in the state of Florida. They need offensive linemen with high-level talent. That makes this a wonderful match, except for the fact that the Buckeyes were never in on Zandamela during his recruitment process. In truth, he never made a visit.
Perhaps a new relationship could be developed. I don’t think Ryan Day should close down the prospect of looking at any offensive linemen from the transfer portal at this point. That room needs all of the aid that they can get.
The next individual on our list would be a pretty solid depth piece and might play substantial snaps in 2025.
3. Jaxon Howard
The defense is going to be nasty for the Ohio State football team this year. All of their starters are set in stone for 2024. Once 2025 gets here though, a lot of those guys are gone. They will need some fresh men to come up and be ready to go. That’s why Jaxon Howard should be a target for them.
Howard was recruited as an edge guy and played linebacker for LSU as a freshman in 2023. He just recorded three tackles, but he at least saw a bit of the field. If the Buckeyes opted to go after Howard, they would presumably move him to defensive end.
Howard has considerable room to put on some weight to make that changeover if necessary. With both J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer likely to leave to the NFL after 2024, Ohio State is going to need fresh people to step up at DE. That’s where Howard comes in.
Ohio State actually offered Howard back in 2021 when they were courting him early so there is an established relationship there. Larry Johnson could go right back and resume up where he left off with his recruiting of him if they wanted to pursue him in the gateway.
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As far as playing time this year goes, Howard might get some rotational opportunities. His big chance for time would be in 2025. He’s someone that Johnson may groom into the next great pass rusher for the Ohio State football team.
