Ohio State’s offseason has been nothing short of chaotic-and that’s putting it mildly. The Buckeyes saw over 30 players hit the transfer portal, easily the largest exodus they’ve experienced since the portal era began. That kind of turnover would rattle just about any program, even one with Ohio State’s depth and recruiting pedigree.
To their credit, Ryan Day and his staff responded quickly, bringing in a solid group of transfers to restock the roster. But let’s be clear: not all departures are created equal. Some losses sting more than others, and a few of these exits could have a real impact when the 2026 season kicks off.
Here are three players whose departures could leave the biggest voids in Columbus.
1. Aaron Scott - CB
Aaron Scott was supposed to be one of the next big names in the Ohio State secondary. A former four-star recruit from Springfield, Ohio, he had the size, athleticism, and instincts to be a difference-maker at corner. But injuries kept him sidelined for most of his time in Columbus, and he never quite got the chance to show what he could do on a consistent basis.
Still, the talent was never in question. Scott was in line to compete for a starting role in 2026, and with the Buckeyes already thin at cornerback, his departure leaves a noticeable gap.
Ohio State did bring in Cam Calhoun to shore up the outside, and Earl Little Jr. is expected to help out at nickel. But neither move fully offsets the loss of a player like Scott, who had starter-level upside and was just waiting for a clean bill of health to prove it.
2. Mylan Graham - WR
Mylan Graham’s exit might be the most frustrating for Buckeye fans-not because he underperformed, but because he never really got the chance. A five-star recruit out of Indiana, Graham flashed serious potential during the Spring Game and was widely expected to take on a larger role this season, especially with some of the top wideouts heading to the NFL.
Even when injuries hit the receiver room, Graham didn’t see much action. But with Carnell Tate now off to the pros, there was a clear path for Graham to become a key piece in the offense. Instead, he’ll be suiting up for Notre Dame under Marcus Freeman, looking to make the leap in South Bend that many thought he’d make in Columbus.
For an offense that’s trying to retool around a new quarterback and a reshaped wide receiver group, losing a talent like Graham is a tough pill to swallow.
3. Quincy Porter - WR
Another five-star wideout with sky-high potential, Quincy Porter’s freshman year was derailed by a knee injury that kept him off the field for most of the season. Still, the Buckeyes had big plans for him.
Porter has the kind of size, speed, and catch radius that makes coaches-and quarterbacks-salivate. He was expected to climb the depth chart quickly once healthy.
Now, he’s following Graham to Notre Dame, hoping to stay on the field and catch passes from CJ Carr. If he’s able to stay healthy, Porter has the tools to become a major weapon in the Irish offense.
For Ohio State, this one stings not just because of what Porter could’ve been in 2026, but what he might’ve grown into over the next couple years. The Buckeyes have a proud tradition of developing elite wide receivers, and Porter looked like the next in line. Now, they’ll have to watch him develop somewhere else.
Bottom Line: Ohio State will always reload. That’s what elite programs do.
But even for a team with top-tier recruiting and a strong transfer class incoming, the losses of Scott, Graham, and Porter are going to be felt. These weren’t just depth pieces-they were potential starters, future stars, and homegrown talents who could’ve made a real impact in scarlet and gray.
As the Buckeyes gear up for another run at the Big Ten and beyond, these are the names they may find themselves missing most.