Ohio State just watched Indiana ride a wave of transfer talent all the way to a national championship. And while the Buckeyes certainly took notice - bringing in a program-record 17 scholarship transfers this offseason - Ryan Day isn’t ready to flip the script on how Ohio State builds its roster.
The Buckeyes’ head coach made that clear on The Ryan Day Show, emphasizing that while the transfer portal has its place, high school recruiting and long-term player development remain the heartbeat of the program.
“I think anytime you want to sustain a certain level of play, you need to have a culture that carries over year to year,” Day said. “It can’t be a year-to-year roster at Ohio State, in my opinion.”
That philosophy came through loud and clear with the 2026 recruiting class. Ohio State signed 28 scholarship players out of high school - the largest freshman haul the program’s seen in a quarter-century. In an era where some programs are practically rebuilding from scratch each January, Day is planting his flag in continuity.
Sure, the Buckeyes lost 31 players to the portal this offseason, but they held onto every starter except right guard Tegra Tshabola. And while Day had high praise for the transfers Ohio State did bring in - including safety Terry Moore, cornerback Earl Little Jr., and linebacker Christian Alliegro - he was quick to reiterate that the portal is a supplement, not a substitute.
“It can’t just be transactional,” Day said in an interview with 97.1 The Fan. That’s more than a soundbite - it’s a mission statement.
Building a roster isn’t just about plugging holes. It’s about developing players who understand the program’s expectations, who grow within the system, and who carry the culture forward.
That kind of continuity doesn’t happen overnight, especially with portal additions. Each transfer comes with a different background, skill set, and injury history - all of which have to be evaluated carefully. And once they arrive, they still need to learn what it means to be a Buckeye.
Day’s cautious approach to the portal isn’t rooted in skepticism - it’s rooted in experience. Ohio State has landed some big-time contributors through transfers in recent years, including Caleb Downs, Will Howard, and Quinshon Judkins. But even with those wins, the core of the team still comes from high school recruiting.
There’s also a lesson in the numbers. Day acknowledged that only 10 of the 23 players from the 2021 recruiting class finished their careers in Columbus.
And eight players from the 2025 class have already transferred after just one year. Those stats underscore how volatile roster management has become in the portal era - but they haven’t shaken Day’s belief in the long game.
And it’s not just about football. Director of sports performance Mickey Marotti praised the 2026 freshman class for their maturity - showing up on time, communicating well, and taking academics seriously. That’s the kind of foundation Day wants to build on.
Ohio State isn’t ignoring the portal. They’re just not letting it define them. For Day, it’s about more than just assembling talent - it’s about building a team that lasts.