What role will each Ohio State transfer have elsewhere in 2025? Here's what we know

COLUMBUS — Ohio State State, like many top college football programs, loses a number of players to the transfer portal at the end of each season.

Some were contributors, others backups, and another group didn’t play much during their time with the Buckeyes — last year or at any other point.

What are the roles expected to be for each of those Buckeyes transfers? Lettermen Row is breaking them all down.

The 2025 outlook for the Ohio State transfers on offense

QB Devin Brown, Cal: Brown will be the backup quarterback in Berkeley after losing the competition to true freshman and former five-star prospect Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele.

QB Air Noland, South Carolina: Noland will be a third-string quarterback for the Gamecocks this season after spending just one year at Ohio State last season.

RB Chip Trayanum, Toledo: The former Buckeyes hero from the 2023 final-second winner over Notre Dame, Trayanum will be the featured back for the Rockets this fall. He’s part of the best offense in the MAC.

RB Evan Pryor, Cincinnati: After proving he should be on the field last year, Pryor will split carries with Tawee Walker this fall for the Bearcats. He has a big opportunity to become a star in the backfield.

RB Dallan Hayden, Colorado: Hayden is in a backfield full of potential contributors — but on an offense that didn’t have interest in running the football last year. Maybe that changes this season for Hayden and the Buffaloes.

WR Noah Rogers, NC State: After a 35-catch, 478-yard, one-touchdown season a year ago for the Wolfpack, Rogers will be one of the premier targets in that NC State offense this season. He spent just one season at Ohio State before heading back home.

WR Jayden Ballard, Wisconsin: Ballard will be counted on as a starting wide receiver for the Badgers this season after spending four years with the Buckeyes. He has one more year of college football to prove he can be a great receiver.

WR Kyion Grayes, Cal: Grayes is expected to be a backup wide receiver for the Golden Bears.

WR Caleb Burton, UConn: Now on his third stop after leaving Auburn, Caleb Burton should have a role in the Huskies’ offense.

WR Kaleb Brown, UAB: Brown has become a journeyman wide receiver. Can he finally make an impact for the Blazers? He’s currently listed as a starter.

WR Kojo Antwi, Colorado State: After three years at Ohio State, Antwi left and landed in the Mountain West. He’ll be a starting receiver for the Rams and has a real chance to become a breakout player at a lower level.

TE Joe Royer, Cincinnati: Royer has first-round NFL Draft potential at tight end after a breakout season last year. He’s going to be one of the top pass-catching targets for the Bearcats this fall, and he might be the best tight end in the Big 12.

OT Zen Michalski, Indiana: He’s currently listed as the starting right tackle for Indiana this fall after starting one game (against Nebraska last year) across multiple seasons for the Buckeyes.

OT George Fitzpatrick, Kansas State: Fitzpatrick was initially slated to be a starting offensive tackle for the Wildcats in the Week 0 game against Iowa State in Ireland, but he suffered a health scare in offseason workouts and is out indefinitely.

OT Miles Walker, Boise State: Walker is expected to be a backup offensive tackle at Boise State this season.

The 2025 outlook for transfers on defense

DL Darrion Henry-Young, Coastal Carolina: Now on his third stop, Henry-Young is aiming to break out in his final season of college football. He’s listed as a starting defensive tackle.

DT Hero Kanu, Texas: Kanu was a surprise exit from the national title team back in January. Ohio State will see him next Saturday when the No. 1 Longhorns come to the Horseshoe. He’s expected to have a role as a rotational defensive tackle.

EDGE Mitchell Melton, Virginia: Melton spent five years at Ohio State, and he chose to become a starter for Virginia in his final season of college football. He has a chance to be a pass-rush specialist for the Cavaliers.

LB Nigel Glover, Northwestern: Glover is a reserve linebacker for the Wildcats.

LB Jayden Bonsu, Pitt: Bonsu moved from safety to linebacker, and he’s going to be a depth piece as a versatile defender for the Panthers this fall.

LB Gabe Powers, Kansas State: Powers is expected to be a role player and backup linebacker for Kansas State this season. The Wildcats open the season Saturday against Iowa State in Ireland.

LB Reid Carrico, West Virginia: After playing for the Mountaineers a year ago, Carrico will step into a starting linebacker role under first-year head coach Rich Rodriguez and will help lead the defense as a senior.

DB Ryan Turner, Purdue: Turner is stepping into a starting cornerback role for the Boilermakers. He will face the Buckeyes on Nov. 8 in West Lafayette.

DB Jaylen Johnson, Ohio: Ohio State will see Johnson on Sept. 13. He’s a backup safety to Bobcats star Rickey Hyatt.

DB Jantzen Dunn, Kentucky: He’s in line for a rotational role at nickel for the Wildcats this season.

DB Andre Turrentine, Tennessee: Everyone remembers what Turrentine said about Ohio State ahead of the Volunteers blowout loss in the College Football Playoff first-round game last year. He’s going to be a critical piece of the Tennessee defensive backfield this fall. Can it be better than it was last year against the Buckeyes? It can’t be much worse.

DB Cameron Martinez, Boston College: Now in his final year of college football, Cameron Martinez will start in the secondary for Boston College.

DB Kye Stokes, Cincinnati: Stokes is in the mix for playing time at safety this fall for the Bearcats after transferring away from the Buckeyes and playing last year in Cincinnati.

DB Jyaire Brown, UCF: He’ll be a rotational or depth piece for the Knights in the secondary this fall.

DB JK Johnson, Oklahoma State: Johnson, a one-time Ohio State starting cornerback for five games during the 2022 season, is expected to be a starting cornerback for the Cowboys this fall after appearing in four games last year at LSU.

DB Calvin Simpson-Hunt, Baylor: He’s going to be a reserve defensive back for the Bears this upcoming season with a chance to find a role.