Ohio State is continuing to fine-tune its roster for a championship-caliber 2026 season, and this week, the Buckeyes made a key addition to their special teams unit. Brady Young, a veteran punter from Houston Christian, has committed to Ohio State via the transfer portal - and he’s coming home to do it.
The Perrysburg, Ohio native announced his decision on social media, bringing his strong leg and field-flipping ability back to the Buckeye State. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Young steps into a punting room that’s been under the microscope over the past two seasons. With inconsistent production and a lack of depth, special teams has quietly been one of the few question marks on an otherwise loaded Ohio State roster.
Young’s arrival isn’t just a depth move - it’s a statement. He averaged 42.3 yards per punt on 68 attempts last season, with a long of 66 yards.
That’s not just solid; that’s field-position-changing power. At Houston Christian (formerly Houston Baptist), Young was a steady presence and a key weapon in the battle for field position.
His hang time and consistency - traits that first put him on the radar as a standout at Perrysburg High School - make him a legitimate contender to see the field in Columbus.
This isn’t Young’s first stop in Ohio college football, either. He spent four years at Cincinnati before transferring to Houston Christian, though he never saw game action with the Bearcats. Now, with years of development and a productive FCS career under his belt, he’s ready for a shot on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
And the timing couldn’t be better. Ohio State’s punting game has been a mixed bag, with starter Joe McGuire showing flashes of talent but struggling to find consistency.
His average of just over 42 yards per punt is respectable, but occasional shanks have put the Buckeye defense in tough spots. The staff has stood behind McGuire publicly, but the lack of a reliable backup has been a lingering concern.
That concern grew when Nick McLarty, who had been competing for the job the past two seasons, entered the transfer portal this offseason. With McLarty gone, the door is wide open for Young to step in and compete - not just as a backup, but for the starting role.
Young joins a revamped special teams unit that’s also added long snapper Dalton Riggs and kicker Connor Hawkins through the portal. It’s clear that the coaching staff is placing renewed emphasis on the third phase of the game - and for good reason. In tight games, special teams execution can be the difference between a playoff run and a season-ending loss.
Whether Young wins the job outright or serves as a high-level insurance policy, his presence raises the bar in the punting room. He’s experienced, battle-tested, and built for the moment. And for a program with national title aspirations, those are the kind of additions that matter.