BREAKING: Ohio State attacked transfer portal on stopping Michigan´s for Big Ten supremacy.
Ohio State aggressively pursued the transfer portal with the aim of ending Michigan’s dominance in the Big Ten. On the same night Michigan secured the national title with a 34-13 win over Washington, running back Quinshon Judkins announced on social media that he was transferring from Mississippi to Ohio State.
This move came after former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard and former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin had committed to Ohio State just days earlier. Former Alabama safety Caleb Downs joined them less than two weeks later. These players were fully aware of the high expectations from a fan base frustrated by the Buckeyes’ 11-2 record, which included three consecutive losses to Michigan.
“The expectations remain the same as they’ve always been,” Downs told reporters. “Just like at ‘Bama – win games, dominate every game, and go win a championship.”
Ohio State’s transfer class is one of the most star-studded ever assembled during the portal era. Other notable additions include quarterback Julian Sayin (formerly Alabama), tight end Will Kacmarek (Ohio), safety Keenan Nelson Jr. (South Carolina), punter Anthony Venneri (Buffalo), and linebacker Joey Velazquez (Michigan).
Judkins, who rushed for 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns over two seasons at Ole Miss, will now share the backfield with TreVeyon Henderson, who has 2,745 career rushing yards with the Buckeyes.
“We complement each other in every way,” Judkins said in an interview.
Downs, a second-team Associated Press All-America selection last year, led Alabama with 107 tackles as a freshman. McLaughlin started 24 games for Alabama over the past three seasons. Howard, who started 28 games at Kansas State and set a school record with 48 career touchdown passes, now has the opportunity to lead an offense loaded with future NFL talent.
“Everything’s amplified here,” Howard remarked. “The biggest thing is I don’t feel like I have to be a hero. With the talent around me, I just need to facilitate, make good decisions, and trust my teammates.”
Meanwhile, Bond has proven himself a clutch performer and could become a top weapon for Texas. Last season, he caught 48 passes for 668 yards and four touchdowns, including a game-winning touchdown against Auburn and five receptions in the SEC championship game against Georgia. SEC media named him a preseason second-team all-SEC selection.
Gabriel, who will play his sixth season with No. 3 Oregon, is tied for fourth in NCAA history with 152 career total touchdowns. If he stays healthy, he could break the record for most career starts by a quarterback. Gabriel leads an impressive Oregon transfer class that also includes CB Jabbar Muhammad (formerly Washington) and Evan Stewart (Texas A&M).
Leonard’s transfer to No. 7 Notre Dame makes him the third transfer in four years to start as the Fighting Irish’s quarterback. Ankle and foot injuries limited him to seven games last year, but in 2022, he threw for 2,967 yards with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions and rushed for 699 yards and 13 scores.
Rated as the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect when he signed with Texas A&M, Nolen transferred to No. 6 Ole Miss after recording 66 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and five sacks in two seasons. SEC media named him a preseason first-team all-conference selection.
The 20th-ranked Aggies landed the 2023 Big Ten sacks leader, Scourton, from Purdue. Scourton tallied 10 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and 50 overall tackles last season. SEC media named him a preseason second-team all-conference selection.
Miami, ranked 19th after going 19-18 over the past three seasons, owes much of its optimism to incoming transfers, most notably Ward, the ACC’s preseason player of the year. Ward started 25 games at Washington State over the last two seasons, completing 65.5% of his passes for 6,963 yards, 48 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.