Ohio State’s 2025 defensive tackle class is officially on the move - and now, it’s a clean sweep.
With Trajen Odom announcing his commitment to Arkansas, all three of the Buckeyes’ freshman defensive tackles from last season have transferred out. Odom joins Jarquez Carter (now at Miami) and Maxwell Roy (headed to UCLA) in seeking new opportunities after limited roles in Columbus.
Odom, a former three-star recruit, saw the field sparingly in his freshman year - just 10 snaps across three games, without recording a stat. That limited action was enough to prompt a fresh start, and now he’ll look to carve out a larger role in the SEC with the Razorbacks.
He’s not the only Ohio State defensive tackle to hit the portal this offseason. Redshirt sophomore Eric Mensah also departed, landing at Virginia Tech. That’s four defensive tackles gone from the Buckeyes’ depth chart, a notable shake-up for a unit that’s long been a strength in Columbus.
Still, Ohio State isn’t exactly hurting for bodies up front. The Buckeyes retain eight scholarship defensive tackles heading into the 2026 season, including two key additions from the portal: James Smith, a former five-star from Alabama, and John Walker, who arrives after a productive stint at UCF. Both bring experience and upside to a reloading defensive front.
The movement along the defensive line reflects a broader trend in today’s college football landscape - young talent looking for earlier playing time, and programs retooling quickly through the portal. For Ohio State, it’s a balancing act: developing high school recruits while also staying aggressive in the transfer market to keep the trenches stocked.
As for Odom, Arkansas offers a fresh start and a chance to reset his trajectory. The Razorbacks are betting on his upside, and Odom will be eager to show what he can do with more than just a handful of snaps.