Many experts are predicting Ohio State and head coach Ryan Day to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Jim Harbaugh’s departure from Michigan next season. The Buckeyes made a massive push in the transfer portal this offseason, including landing multiple former five-star prospects.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel believes that the Buckeyes are riding high after collecting an ‘eye-popping’ amount of talent heading into next season. Thamel joined Paul Finebaum and discussed Ohio State’s roster entering the 2024 season.
“There’s some desperation with three straight losses to Michigan. As much as the portal guys have been impressive, Caleb Downs, Will Howard, Julian Sayin, QuinShon Judkins… there’s plenty of those. What’s really the most important thing for Ohio State pushing forward is the amount of really high-end guys who returned, who, if you had asked me in mid-October, I probably would have said the NFL expects them to go.
“The NFL expected guard Donovan Jackson, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, tailback TreVeyon Henderson, both defensive ends (Jack) Sawyer and (J.T.) Tuimolosu, as was Denzel Burke; those were draft-eligible guys the NFL was writing up as prospects, and all those guys are coming back. So they really have a significant and experienced talent war chest there.
“There is an institutional and collective effort there to make sure that three-game losing streak (vs. Michigan) doesn’t turn into a four-game losing streak. It’s an eye-popping collection of talent down there.”