By Patrick Weider
1) Ethan Onianwa, Offensive Tackle
Ohio State is losing 3 offensive tackles, so Ethan Onianwa is a huge pickup. Left tackle Josh Simmons (who was lost for the season), left tackle/left Guard Donovan Jackson, and right tackle Josh Fryar, giving Onianwa big shoes to fill. Ohio State had no ready replacement on the roster for offensive tackles, so this was the biggest need.
Onianwa was considered the 19th-best offensive tackle in the transfer portal by 247 Sports. He had a good year for Rice and now he gets to go to Ohio State and develop and play one more year of College Football. Ohio State offensive line coach recruiting has been subpar under offensive line coach Justin Frye, but as a developer of offensive linemen, he has done a nice job. Especially last year dealing with injuries to his left tackle and sliding Donovan Jackson out to left tackle.
New Buckeye OT Ethan Onianwa. This is the energy I need from an OL. Just want to maul somebody pic.twitter.com/h2LadnUI0t
— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) December 24, 2024
2) Phillip Daniels, Offensive Tackle
Phillip Daniels is an interesting story in that he is from Cincinnati, Ohio, but Ohio State never showed interest in him when he was coming out of high school. So, he went to Minnesota and started the last 4 games last year at right tackle, went in the transfer portal, visited Ohio State and is now projected as their starting right tackle next year. He will have three years of eligibility left, which is huge for Ohio State because they can develop a multi-year starter at offensive tackle. Again, Ohio State had no immediate starters at offensive tackle, so getting Daniels and Onianwa is huge for the Buckeyes.
New offensive lineman Phillip Daniels already with the Buckeyes 👀. pic.twitter.com/GPG1TqIFp9
— The Scarlet and Gray Podcast (@TheSG_Podcast) December 29, 2024
More Sports News
3) CJ Donaldson, Running Back
CJ Donaldson is a talented running back who had a good career in West Virginia. He now transfers to Ohio State in a great spot to be the starting running back after TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins are both off to the NFL. Donalson has a chance to come and shine and improve his NFL Draft stock with one year of excellent film playing for the Buckeyes. It is a win-win for Donaldson and Ohio State.
New Ohio State RB CJ Donaldson Jr is a LOAD pic.twitter.com/G7l8oWvxhA
— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) December 23, 2024
4) Max Klare, Tight End
Gee Scott was a solid tight end for Ohio State, but he never became the pass catcher the previous tight end Cade Stover was. Enter Max Klare from Purdue. Max Klare was considered the number 1 tight end in the transfer portal according to 247 Sports. He had 51 catches for 685 yards and four touchdowns for Purdue last year, being one of the few bright spots.
I expect his numbers to take a dip at Ohio State, but I expect a big impact from him. His ability to get open downfield should help the passing game. He could help a 1st year-starting quarterback in Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kleinholz as well to have a reliable target at tight end to throw to.
Enjoy this video of Max Klare shaking tf out of an Illinois DB
pic.twitter.com/y0DdzOMdmo— The Victory Bell (@VictoryBellOSU) December 23, 2024
5) Logan George, Edge
Probably something I never thought I would write, but a player leaves Idaho to join Ohio State. Thats Logan George, who’s going from the Kibbie Dome to the Horseshoe. He is going into a great situation after Ohio State lost edge defenders Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau are off to the NFL. George gets to be coached by legendary defensive line coach Larry Johnson. The benefit for George and Ohio State is he has two years of eligibility left. So, this year is a chance for him to be a situational pass rusher and next year and his final season he should start.
Bonus: Ty Howard, Linebacker
Ty Howard transfers in from Duquense University. He comes in with two years left of college eligibility. Howard will most likely be a backup and play on special teams this year but will have a chance to start the following year. He is a good player that should have a good chance to learn and develop this season.
