Ohio State Freshman Safety Cody Haddad Enters Transfer Portal, Continuing Secondary Shake-Up
Ohio State’s secondary continues to undergo a major reshuffling this offseason, and the latest name to hit the transfer portal is freshman safety Cody Haddad. The in-state product from Cleveland joins a growing list of Buckeye defensive backs looking for new opportunities, as the team navigates a period of transition following its College Football Playoff exit.
Haddad came to Columbus as part of the 2025 recruiting class, a three-star prospect out of St. Ignatius High School.
Ranked No. 53 among safeties and No. 25 overall in the state by 247Sports, he was seen as a versatile addition to the Buckeyes’ defensive backfield. His recruitment was a bit of a rollercoaster-Haddad originally committed to Wisconsin in early 2024 but flipped to Ohio State just a few months later after a strong push from the Buckeyes’ defensive staff, particularly safeties coach Matt Guerrieri.
He chose the Scarlet and Gray over offers from Iowa, Texas A&M, and Purdue, among others.
Once on campus, Haddad enrolled early and went through winter workouts and spring ball, giving himself a head start on acclimating to the college game. But even with that early jump, breaking into the Buckeyes’ loaded secondary proved to be a steep climb. With established starters like Caleb Downs and Jaylen McClain ahead of him-and a deep group of experienced contributors-Haddad didn’t see the field in his freshman season.
Now, he becomes the fourth safety to enter the portal since Ohio State’s quarterfinal loss to Miami on New Year’s Eve, joining fellow 2025 signee Faheem Delane, as well as Malik Hartford and Keenan Nelson Jr. The Buckeyes also lost Downs to the NFL Draft, further signaling a changing of the guard in the defensive backfield.
Ohio State has already begun retooling the position group, bringing in Florida State’s Earl Little Jr. and former Duke safety Terry Moore through the portal. But the departure of Haddad-along with the others-underscores the fluid nature of roster building in the modern college football era.
Haddad leaves Ohio State with four years of eligibility remaining, and he’s expected to draw attention from programs looking for a versatile, athletic defensive back. A multi-sport athlete in high school with a background in track and basketball, he brings speed and agility that could fit a number of defensive schemes. Whether he ends up at a Power Five program or takes a different route, Haddad’s blend of athleticism and positional flexibility should make him an intriguing pickup for teams looking to bolster their secondary.
For Ohio State, the focus now shifts to developing the next wave of talent and integrating their new additions. The secondary has long been a cornerstone of the Buckeyes’ defensive identity, and while the names may be changing, the expectations certainly aren’t.