If there’s one area where Ohio State could use a serious boost heading into 2026, it’s off the edge. The Buckeyes have had their moments pressuring the quarterback this season, but the days of dominant, game-wrecking edge duos like J.T.
Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer feel a bit more distant now. And with both those players no longer in the picture, Ryan Day and his staff are staring at a depth chart that’s talented, yes-but also thin and unproven.
That’s where the transfer portal comes in. And one name that should absolutely be on Ohio State’s radar is Miami (Ohio) standout Adam Trick.
Trick isn’t just another Group of Five stat-padder. The 6-foot-4, 242-pound edge rusher has been a force in the MAC, and his production speaks volumes: 59 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, an interception, three forced fumbles, and four passes defended this past season.
That’s not a flash-in-the-pan stat line-that’s sustained disruption. And when you stack that on top of 13 sacks in each of the last two years, it’s clear Trick has the kind of motor and consistency that translates, regardless of level.
Yes, he’s coming from the MAC. But don’t let that fool you.
The tape shows a relentless pass rusher with a nose for the football and a knack for making plays in space. He’s not just winning with raw athleticism-he’s showing polish and technique that could make him an immediate contributor at a Power Five program.
Ohio State, meanwhile, finished the season with 33 sacks as a team. Senior Caden Curry led the way with 11, while Arvell Reese and Kenyatta Jackson chipped in with 6.5 each.
Solid numbers, but the drop-off from last year’s edge production is noticeable. And as the Buckeyes look to reload-not rebuild-on defense, adding a proven veteran like Trick could be the kind of move that keeps them in the national title conversation.
The current edge room has promise, but it’s far from settled. Beau Atkinson, a spring portal addition from North Carolina, is expected back next year.
He’s had a quiet season with just one sack after posting 7.5 last year in Chapel Hill. Freshman Zion Grady is another name to watch, but he’s still developing.
CJ Hicks made the switch from linebacker to full-time EDGE before the season and redshirted. Whether he returns for a fifth year in Columbus remains to be seen.
That leaves Ohio State in a bit of a bind. There’s talent, but not a lot of proven production beyond Curry and Jackson. And in a Big Ten that’s only getting tougher-especially with USC, Oregon, Washington and UCLA now in the mix-the Buckeyes can’t afford to take a wait-and-see approach at such a critical position.
Trick, a Dayton native, makes a lot of sense. The hometown connection is there.
The production is there. And the opportunity to step into a high-level defense with national championship aspirations?
That’s a compelling pitch. Ohio State has done well in the portal in recent years, and Trick could be the next impact piece to keep that trend rolling.
Bottom line: if the Buckeyes want to shore up their pass rush and inject some veteran juice into their defensive front, Adam Trick should be at the top of their portal wish list. He’s the kind of plug-and-play presence that could make a real difference in 2026-and beyond.