Cody Haddad is staying in the Big Ten-but he’s trading scarlet and gray for black and gold.
The former Ohio State safety, who entered the transfer portal just before it closed last week, has committed to Iowa. It’s a fresh start for the Cleveland native, who redshirted his lone season in Columbus and didn’t see the field. Now, he heads to Iowa City with four full years of eligibility and a chance to carve out a role in Phil Parker’s defense.
Haddad, a three-star prospect from Cleveland’s powerhouse St. Ignatius High School in the 2025 recruiting class, becomes the latest Buckeye to make an in-conference move.
He’s the seventh Ohio State player from that class alone to land at another Big Ten school for 2026. Among the names joining him on that list are fellow safety Malik Hartford (UCLA), cornerbacks Aaron Scott Jr.
(Oregon) and Bryce West (Wisconsin), defensive linemen Logan George (Washington) and Maxwell Roy (UCLA), and running back James Peoples (Penn State).
That’s a significant talent migration-especially within the conference-and it underscores just how fluid rosters have become in the transfer portal era. For Iowa, Haddad represents both a long-term investment and a potential depth piece in the secondary right away. The Hawkeyes are known for developing defensive backs, and Haddad will have every opportunity to grow in a system that thrives on discipline and physicality.
As for Ohio State, Haddad’s departure is one of many this offseason. The Buckeyes have seen a wave of players exit via the portal, from veterans looking for more playing time to underclassmen seeking a better fit. Here’s a full look at the 2026 transfer departures from Columbus:
Ohio State Transfer Portal Departures - 2026
- WR Bryson Rodgers (JR, RS) - USF
- TE Jelani Thurman (JR, RS) - North Carolina
- QB Lincoln Kienholz (JR, RS) - Louisville
- NB Bryce West (SO, RS) - Wisconsin
- DE C.J. Hicks (SR, RS) - USF
- RB Sam Dixon (SO, RS) - South Carolina
- DE Dominic Kirks (SO, RS) - [No destination listed]
- DE Logan George (SR) - Washington
- WR Damarion Witten (SO, RS) - Miami (Ohio)
- RB James Peoples (JR) - Penn State
- K Jackson Courville (JR, RS) - Tulane
- P Nick McLarty (SO, RS) - Arizona State
- OL Devontae Armstrong (SO, RS) - Miami (Ohio)
- OL Isaiah Kema (FR, RS) - Utah
- **CB Aaron Scott Jr.
(SO, RS)** - Oregon
- WR Mylan Graham (SO, RS) - Notre Dame
- OG Tegra Tshabola (SR, RS) - Kentucky
- OT Justin Terry (SO, RS) - Virginia Tech
- WR Quincy Porter (SO) - Notre Dame
- OG Jayvon McFadden (FR, RS) - Colorado
- DT Maxwell Roy (FR, RS) - UCLA
- **S Keenan Nelson Jr.
(SR, RS)** - [No destination listed]
- DT Eric Mensah (SO, RS) - Virginia Tech
- DT Jarquez Carter (SO) - Miami
- S Malik Hartford (JR, RS) - UCLA
- LB Ty Howard (SR, RS) - [No destination listed]
- WR Bodpegn Miller (FR, RS) - [No destination listed]
- S Faheem Delane (SO) - LSU
- DE Joshua Mickens (JR, RS) - UConn
- DT Trajen Odom (FR, RS) - Arkansas
It’s a long list, and it reflects the new reality for powerhouse programs like Ohio State: talented depth charts are a double-edged sword. With so many high-level recruits on one roster, it’s inevitable that some will look elsewhere for opportunity.
For Iowa, snagging a player like Haddad is a win on multiple levels. He’s young, he’s got upside, and he’s coming from one of the most competitive environments in college football. If he can translate that experience into on-field production, the Hawkeyes may have just added a key piece to their future secondary.