Air Noland Heads Back to the Portal: Former Buckeye QB Set to Transfer Again
The college football carousel keeps spinning, and former Ohio State quarterback Air Noland is back on the move. After a freshman year in Columbus and a short stint at South Carolina, Noland is entering the transfer portal for the second time in as many offseasons, now in search of his third program in three years.
Once a highly touted recruit-ranked No. 56 overall and the No. 4 quarterback in the 247Sports composite rankings-Noland came to Ohio State as the centerpiece of the Buckeyes’ 2024 quarterback class. That was before the college football landscape shifted dramatically. When Nick Saban retired from Alabama, it set off a domino effect that brought Julian Sayin to Columbus, and suddenly, Noland found himself behind one of the top quarterback prospects in the country.
With Sayin entrenched as the Buckeyes' starter, Noland opted to transfer south to South Carolina, looking for a clearer path to the field. But that opportunity didn’t materialize either-he spent the 2025 season backing up LaNorris Sellers in Columbia.
Now, the Fairburn, Georgia native is once again looking for a fresh start. With three years of eligibility remaining, Noland will be one of the more experienced, high-upside options on the market when the transfer portal officially opens on January 2. The former Langston Hughes High School standout still has time to carve out a meaningful college career-it’s just a matter of finding the right fit.
Ohio State’s Top RB Target Narrows His List
While one former Buckeye looks for a new home, Ohio State is still very much in the mix for one of the top offensive weapons in the 2026 class. Five-star running back David Gabriel-Georges has trimmed his list to eight schools, and the Buckeyes made the cut.
According to On3, Gabriel-Georges is down to Ohio State, Georgia, Auburn, Miami, Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, and Ole Miss. That’s a heavyweight list, but Ohio State has long been considered a major contender for the Baylor School (Chattanooga, TN) star.
Gabriel-Georges is the No. 13 overall prospect in the 247Sports composite and the No. 2 running back in the country. But inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, there are whispers that he might be the best back in the nation-regardless of class. Whether it’s the 2026, 2027, or even 2028 cycle, Ohio State views Gabriel-Georges as a game-changer.
With his decision still to come, the Buckeyes will continue to make their push. Landing a back of his caliber would be a major statement for the program as it looks to reload and stay at the forefront of college football’s elite.
Key Dates to Watch
Ohio State fans have plenty to keep an eye on over the next few weeks. Here’s a quick look at what’s ahead:
- Cotton Bowl vs. Miami - 8 days out (Dec.
31, 2025): A big-time postseason showdown with a chance to close the year on a high note.
- Transfer Portal Window Opens - 10 days (Jan.
2-16, 2026): Expect movement across the country, with Ohio State both watching and participating.
- College Football Playoff Semifinals - 16 days (Jan.
8-9, 2026): The road to the national title gets serious.
- National Championship Game - 27 days (Jan.
19, 2026): The sport’s biggest stage awaits.
- The Game 2026 - 340 days (Nov.
28, 2026): It’s never too early to circle the calendar for the Buckeyes’ annual showdown with Michigan.
Plenty of storylines are still unfolding, but one thing’s certain-this offseason is shaping up to be just as busy as the regular season.