Ohio State’s secondary just got a little deeper-and a whole lot more competitive.
In a matter of hours, the Buckeyes added not one, but two cornerbacks through the transfer portal on Thursday. After landing former Alabama defensive back Cam Calhoun earlier in the day, Ohio State followed that up by securing a commitment from former Georgia cornerback Dominick Kelly.
Both players were on campus for visits that same day, and both left Columbus as Buckeyes. That’s a strong recruiting win for cornerbacks coach Tim Walton and the Ohio State defensive staff.
Kelly’s decision came fast. He entered the portal on Wednesday and committed to Ohio State less than 24 hours later.
Georgia’s recent moves-bringing in two defensive backs through the portal-may have opened the door, but the Buckeyes were ready to close it. Kelly saw an opportunity in Columbus, and he didn’t hesitate.
As a true freshman at Georgia, Kelly played in 10 games and logged 61 total snaps. He finished the season with three tackles and three pass breakups-not eye-popping numbers, but enough to show flashes of what he could become. He brings with him three years of eligibility, giving Ohio State time to develop him into a bigger contributor down the line.
At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, Kelly fits the mold of a modern outside corner-long, physical, and athletic enough to match up with bigger receivers. He also has the versatility to slide inside if needed, which adds to his value in a secondary that’s always looking for matchup flexibility.
According to Pro Football Focus, Kelly earned a 58.2 overall grade in 2025, with a 63.2 in run defense and a 57.3 in coverage. Those numbers suggest a player still growing into his role, but the physical tools and early experience are there.
What stands out most about Kelly might not be his stats-it’s his mindset. Speaking at Sugar Bowl Media Day, he reflected on the mental side of playing cornerback, a position where confidence and short memory are everything.
"No matter what you do, you've got to kind of stay level-headed, right? That's the only way you're going to really be successful at this position," Kelly said. "Being able to have those experiences when I'm doing good, maybe giving up something, right, it's teaching me not only that, hey, you can make a play, but just as fast as you can be celebrating, you can be scolded."
That kind of maturity is what coaches look for in young defensive backs. Mistakes are part of the job-how a player responds to them is what separates the good from the great.
Kelly now joins a cornerback room that’s shaping up to be one of the more intriguing units on the roster. He’ll have a chance to learn from returning contributors like Jermaine Mathews and fellow transfer Cam Calhoun, as well as five-star freshman Devin Sanchez, who’s expected to contend for a starting spot on the outside. Kelly may not be counted on for major snaps right away, but he’s walking into a room where competition breeds development.
This isn’t a one-year rental-this is a long-term investment. Kelly was a top-400 national recruit and the No. 38 cornerback in the 2025 class, per 247Sports’ composite rankings. He reclassified from the 2026 cycle to get a head start on his college career, a move that shows both ambition and a willingness to bet on himself.
And now, with a new home in Columbus, Dominick Kelly gets a fresh start-and the Buckeyes get another talented piece in their ever-evolving secondary.