Ohio State emerged from the spring transfer portal feeling good about its defensive reinforcements, but roster turnover cuts both ways. While the Buckeyes added high-level talent—particularly from the SEC—they also saw nine players depart for other Big Ten programs, each searching for an opportunity that proved hard to come by in Columbus.

That reality speaks less to failure and more to depth. Ohio State’s roster is stacked with NFL-caliber talent, especially on defense, where multiple Buckeyes are expected to hear their names called in April’s draft. For younger or buried players, the portal became the clearest path to playing time.

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Several departures came from the secondary. Former four-star corner Bryce West heads to Wisconsin after spending much of his time as a reserve in Columbus. West showed flashes in limited action and now joins a Badgers defense known for developing defensive backs through reps and scheme discipline.

Aaron Scott Jr. may be the most intriguing name on the list. Once the top-ranked player in Ohio and a national top-60 recruit, Scott never fully cracked Ohio State’s rotation. Now at Oregon, he reunites with fellow Ohio natives and steps into a program that thrives on length and athleticism at corner.

The defensive line also saw movement. Dominic Kirks and Logan George both move on after finding snaps hard to come by behind established stars. Kirks lands at Northwestern, where immediate rotation reps are realistic, while George heads to Washington after a winding path that included FCS dominance. For both, production—not pedigree—will define the next chapter.

On offense, the biggest surprise may be running back James Peoples transferring to Penn State. A former top-10 back nationally, Peoples flashed efficiency in limited carries but was leapfrogged by younger talent. In Happy Valley, he gets a reset and a clearer lane to touches.

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UCLA was another major destination, landing safety Malik Hartford and defensive tackle Maxwell Roy. Hartford, once a top-five safety recruit, started games early in his career before depth reshuffled the pecking order. At UCLA, he brings experience and versatility. Roy, meanwhile, is a long-term developmental play with upside.

Wide receiver Bodpegn Miller and safety Cody Haddad round out the list, heading to Washington and Iowa respectively. Both were developmental prospects seeking clearer paths.

Ohio State fans will see familiar names quickly. The Buckeyes face Oregon on Nov. 7 and Iowa on Oct. 3, turning portal movement into immediate storylines. For Ohio State, this churn reflects strength. For the nine who left, it represents opportunity—and sometimes, that’s the win both sides need.