Ohio State TE Sam Hart to Transfer - Portal Tracker

The college football transfer portal is set to heat back up and BuckeyesNow will track all of the ins and outs of the Ohio State Buckeyes in one place

January 16 

Per an announcement from his X account, Ohio State tight end Sam Hart has elected to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal after three seasons with the team.

"I am very grateful for these past few years as a Buckeye," Hart tweeted. "I would like to thank my teammates for the friendships and the memories, and the coaches for giving me the opportunity of playing here. After a lot of thought, I have decided to enter the transfer portal as a graduate transfer (May 2024) with 2 years of eligibility remaining."

A former three-star recruit, Hart has played in five games with the Buckeyes in his three years and has never recorded a stat. 

He will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next stop.

January 4

According to reports from Bucknuts, former Alabama starting offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin is set to visit Ohio State. 

McLaughlin, who played center for the Crimson Tide, entered the portal soon after his team's loss in the Rose Bowl to Michigan on Monday.

The former three-star recruit started all 14 games for the Tide this season, and eight games in 2022. 

December 28

The Ohio State Buckeyes must now add special teams to the areas in which they reload in 2024.

On Saturday, following the team's loss in the Cotton Bowl to Missouri on Friday, Ohio State starting punting Jesse Mirco entered the NCAA Transfer Portal after three seasons with the team, according to reports from Eleven Warriors.

Mirco punted 50 times this season, averaging 43.5 yards per punt, and has a long of 72 yards. He also downed three punts inside the 20-yard line. 

In his career the Australian punted 130 times for 5,707 yards, averaging 43.9 yards per punt. His career-long punt is 77 yards. 

December 27

The Ohio State Buckeyes know who will be taking the first snaps of the Cotton Bowl on Friday in Arlington.

What they aren't sure of is who will line up under center for the first snap of the 2024 season opener vs. Akron.

However, according to reports from On3, Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, who has yet to commit to his next team, could be in play for the Buckeyes. 

"Obviously, Ohio State is still shopping for a quarterback," On3's Pete Nakos told Andy Staples on Andy Staples On3. "I don’t think they’re completely off the quarterback market. … But yeah, I think the Buckeyes definitely are at least looking at Will Howard.”

Last season with the Wildcats, Howard threw for 2,643 yards and 24 touchdowns with 10 interceptions while completing 61.3 percent of his passes. 

By comparison, last season's starter for the Buckeyes, Kyle McCord, threw for 3,170 yards and 24 scores with six interceptions, completing 65.8 percent of his passes.

Per Nakos, USC and Miami are also in the mix, while the NFL also remains a possibility for Howard.

December 20

Amid the Early Signing Day chaos, a former Ohio State Buckeye found his new home via the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Offensive lineman Jakob James, who was the third-string center this season, committed to Toldeo, staying close to his original home of Cincinnati.

James, who played six offensive snaps this season for the Buckeyes, will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Rockets.

"Thank you to everyone that has helped me get this far on my journey," James said in his transfer announcement earlier this month. "To my Buckeye brothers - wouldn't change a second of it. Love you all. I have entered the portal as a grad transfer with two years remaining."

December 15

Former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord is still undecided about his next destination after entering the NCAA Transfer Portal. 

However, according to reports, there could be some movement on that front, with McCord set to take a visit to Syracuse this weekend. 

The Orange were already reported to have emerged as favorites to land the former Buckeyes starter, following his decision to move on from Nebraska last week.

December 14

According to reports from On3's Pete Nakos, highly-coveted UTSA edge rusher transfer Trey Moore will no longer visit Ohio State.

Instead, Moore, who ranks as one of the top players in the NCAA Transfer Portal, will visit Tuscaloosa and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Per the report, Ohio State called off the visit for reasons that are as of yet unknown.

Moore posted 14 sacks during the regular season, the third-most in FBS. In 2022, he had eight sacks and two forced fumbles.

December 13

Former Ohio State running back Evan Pryor has found a new home, committing to the Cincinnati Bearkats on Wednesday. 

Pryor, who will have three years of eligibility remaining for the Bearkats, came to Ohio State ranked as the No. 6 running back in the nation, and the No. 5 player in North Carolina.

Pryor has played in eight games for the Buckeyes in his three years in Columbus, rushing 40 times for 147 yards and one touchdown.

December 11

The Transfer Portal is in full swing, and while the Ohio State Buckeyes have lost their fair share of talent, they should be in line to add a few new players as well. 

Near the top of that list, is UTSA transfer linebacker, Trey Moore, who reportedly is set to visit Colombus this week.

In addition to his expected visit to Texas, UTSA EDGE transfer Trey Moore is also expected to visit Ohio State, sources tell @247sports.

The Ohio State visit is expected to take place next week. Moore ranks third nationally with 14 sacks.https://t.co/h8mngFnH54 pic.twitter.com/Dnsqcdjode

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 9, 2023

Moore posted 14 sacks during the regular season, the third-most in FBS. In 2022, he had eight sacks and two forced fumbles.

December 10 

The Ohio State Buckeyes lost a couple of key players last week, with quarterback Kyle McCord and former five-star receiver Julian Fleming electing to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.

And now it appears that both could be staying in the Big Ten. 

According to reports from Rivals.com, Fleming and McCord are both set to visit the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the coming week.

Nebraska, who is vocally in search of a new QB via the portal, is currently the betting favorite to land McCord.

December 7 

After the loss of quarterback Kyle McCord to the NCAA Transfer Portal, the Ohio State Buckeyes are in need of a new starter at the position in 2024.

And according to On3 college football analyst J.D. Pickell, the Buckeyes are in prime position to land Washington State star transfer QB, Cameron Ward.

"After going from Incarnate Word to Washington State, Ward has seen his profile rise yet again," Pickell said. "He’ll be a coveted prospect in the transfer portal, and a program with a need like Ohio State could easily see the opportunity to capitalize by grabbing a dynamic player like Ward."

In his two seasons with Washington State, Ward has been electric, completing 643 of 982 passes for 6,968 yards and 48 touchdowns with 16 interceptions. He has also rushed 13 touchdowns

December 6

According to reports from industry insider Chad Simmons, the Ohio State Buckeyes have emerged as a contender for UCLA transfer quarterback, Dante Moore. 

Moore, formerly a five-star recruit and No. 2 QB in the country per the On3 Industry Ranking, entered the portal when it opened on Monday. 

Per Simmons, Michigan, Ohio State, Miami and Oregon are all expected to get visits from Moore over the next few weeks. 

The Buckeyes are in need of a QB through the portal after the departure of Kyle McCord, with Devin Brown, Tristan Gebbia and Lincoln Kienholz the only viable options on the roster currently. 

The Buckeyes do have five-star Air Noland on the way in the spring as well. 

Moore completed 114 of 213 passes for 1,610 yards and 11 touchdowns with nine interceptions with UCLA this season.

December 4 

The Ohio State Buckeyes had one of the most shocking entries into the NCAA Transfer Portal thus far, with quarterback Kyle McCord leaving the program on Monday.

And his now former Buckeyes teammate, Marvin Harrison Jr., reacted to the departure of McCord in a social media post. 

Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. reacts to Kyle McCord entering the Transfer Portal:

“6 ♾️❤️”

Harrison Jr. & McCord were high school teammates as well, & won 3 Straight State Championships together https://t.co/cp7sJgLBQe pic.twitter.com/fCowC0yWES

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 4, 2023

Harrison Jr. excelled with McCord as his QB this season, catching 67 passes for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns, with a career-high 18.1 yards per catch. 

The pair were also high school teammates at St. Joseph's Prep School in Philadelphia, where they were both four-star recruits.

Running back TreVeyon Henderson also posted about the McCord news, expressing his love for his now-former teammate.

"Love my brother man," Henderson said on X. "What you dealt with and sacrificed this whole (season) to be out on that field when you didn’t have to man no one could ever question your toughness and your willingness to give it your all for this team. A true team player, God has a great plan for you brotha."

December 4

Ohio State linebacker Reid Carrico has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. 

Carrico spent three years with the Buckeyes, playing in 19 games, including nine in 2023. 

December 4

The Ohio State Buckeyes have lost yet another player to the NCAA Transfer Portal, this time along the offensive line. 

Jakob James, who played six offensive snaps this season for the Buckeyes, will enter the portal as a grad transfer with two years of eligibility remaining. 

"Thank you to everyone that has helped me get this far on my journey," James said in his announcement. "To my Buckeye brothers - wouldn't change a second of it. Love you all. I have entered the portal as a grad transfer with two years remaining."

❤️ pic.twitter.com/IuTdhwvcN8

— Jakob James (@jakobjames00) December 4, 2023

December 4

The NCAA Transfer portal officially opened at midnight on Monday morning, and the Buckeyes have already been one of the most affected teams by it.

That continued Monday morning, with safety Kye Stokes becoming the sixth player and the third defensive back to leave the program. 

Stokes, a former 4-star recruit, played 11 games in two seasons with the Buckeyes, making 12 tackles 

He has three years of eligibility remaining at his next stop.

December 3

Ohio State kicker Parker Lewis has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. Lewis spent two seasons with the Buckeyes after transferring from USC in 2022. 

Lewis kicked off twice for the Buckeyes this season in his second-string role behind Jayden Fielding.

December 3

The Ohio State Buckeyes have now lost six players to the NCAA Transfer Portal, and three on Sunday. And the latest, cornerback Jyaire Brown, might be the biggest one yet.

According to reports from On3, Brown plans to enter the portal on Monday, after playing in 13 games over the last two seasons. He will have three years of eligibility remaining. 

In his 13 games, Brown made nine tackles, with three pass breakups and one forced fumble. The majority of his production came in 2022, when he appeared in nine games, and was a key reserve in a Buckeyes secondary that was battling injuries. 

December 3 

The Ohio State Buckeyes lost their second player of the day to the NCAA Transfer Portal on Sunday evening, with defensive back Ryan Turner electing to leave the program. 

The Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Hollywood, FL) product came to Ohio State as a three-star prospect in the 2022 class, with offers from Arkansas, Boston College, Clemson and FIU, among others.

Turner played in one game this season, making two tackles against Minnesota. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

December 3

The losses to the NCAA Transfer Portal continued for the Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday, with former four-star running back Evan Pryor becoming the fourth player to leave the program.

Pryor, who will have three years of eligibility remaining, came to Ohio State ranked as the No. 6 running back in the nation, and the No. 5 player in North Carolina.

Pryor has played in eight games for the Buckeyes in his three years in Columbus, rushing 40 times for 147 yards and one touchdown.

November 30 

The Ohio State Buckeyes have lost their third player to the NCAA Transfer Portal.

According to a report from the Colombus Dispatch, Ohio State offensive lineman Vic Cutler is entering the portal after as a graduate transfer one season with the team. 

Cutler transferred to the Buckeyes from Louisiana Monroe a season ago. He played in just four games this season for the Buckeyes in a reserve role.

November 30

According to reports from Rivals.com, Ohio State safety Cameron Martinez will enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.

The former Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year played in three games in 2023, making two tackles. 

Martinez also played in 13 games in 2022, and 12 games in 2021, making 38 tackles, .5 tackles for loss, four pass deflections, and one interception, which he took back for a touchdown. 

November 30 

The Ohio State Buckeyes offered Middle Tennessee State defensive line transfer Marley Cook on Thursday, the former lightning defender announced.

Cook, a grad transfer, will visit Colombus on Dec. 15. 

This season, Cook tallied 22 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble. In 2022, he had 22 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and nine tackles for loss. Cook also had three sacks in 2021, to go along with 3.5 tackles for loss.

May 8

Now former Ohio State offensive lineman Ben Christman has committed to the Kentucky Wildcats, he announced Sunday.

Christman was in contention for one of the tackle positions in the offensive line competition, but that spot will be occupied now by someone else.

Christman was the No. 224 player in the country, as the 15th-best interior offensive lineman and the seventh-best player in Ohio.

The Akron, OH. native played in nine snaps at right guard against Indiana last season and received a 69.7 pass block grade and 60.1 run block grade, according to Pro Football Focus.

May 1

Ohio State wide receiver Kaleb Brown has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to reports. 

Brown was once a 4-star recruit and the No. 107 overall player in the 2022 class. 

Ohio State WR Kaleb Brown has entered the NCAA transfer portal, per @mzenitz.

Brown was a top-110 overall player in the 2022 recruiting class.https://t.co/mdidkM9QFz pic.twitter.com/lXxJ7FjB9h

— On3 (@On3sports) May 1, 2023

April 30

Ohio State needed a tackle in the transfer portal and now it got one.

Former San Diego State Aztecs right tackle Josh Simmons announced his transfer to the Buckeyes Sunday and will immediately step in and compete for a starting tackle spot.

Simmons started all 13 games for the Aztecs last season, and in 799 offensive snaps, received a 65.3 pass block grade and a 47.7 run block grade, according to Pro Football Focus.

According to Pro Football Focus, Simmons allowed four sacks, three quarterback hits while committing 17 penalties.

Ohio State allowed five sacks in the spring game, something that will need to be cleaned up before week 1 against Indiana next season.

During the spring, Tegra Tshabola and Zen Michalski took the majority of snaps at right tackle.

April 29

Former Notre Dame wideout Lorenzo Styles entered the NCAA Transfer Portal earlier this month. And now he is on his way to Columbus, where he will join his brother Sonny Styles with the Buckeyes. 

Thankful for this opportunity. Time to go to work.. #GOBUCKS pic.twitter.com/tjbyEnK4Hv

— Zo (@LorenzoStyles_) April 29, 2023

April 26

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Ben Christman and linebacker Jackson Kuwatch both entered the transfer portal Wednesday.

The news comes one day after wide receiver Caleb Burton entered the portal Tuesday. Christman was in contention for one of the tackle positions in the offensive line competition, but that spot will be occupied now by someone else.

Christman was the No. 224 player in the country, as the 15th-best interior offensive lineman and the seventh-best player in Ohio.

The Akron, OH. native played in nine snaps at right guard against Indiana last season and received a 69.7 pass block grade and 60.1 run block grade, according to Pro Football Focus.

Kuwatch joined the Buckeyes as a walk-on in June 2021, as all seven of his career snaps at Ohio State came on special teams in 2022.

The Lakota West High School product was named a First Team All-Ohio selection and Southwest Ohio Defensive Player of the Year, recording 53 tackles and two sacks.

Kuwatch lost his Black Stripe on Oct. 20, 2021, and didn't play a snap on defense in his two seasons in Columbus.

April 25

Former four-star wide receiver Caleb Burton came to Ohio State with high hopes in 2022, but after just one season, those hopes appear to be at an end. 

According to reports from The Athletic, Burton has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, ending his career in Columbus.

The Lake Travis (Austin, TX) native did not see the field for the Buckeyes in his freshman season and will have four years of eligibility remaining. 

March 21

As spring practices continue in Columbus, an Ohio native who played elsewhere in the Big Ten is in town for a fresh look at the program.

Former Maryland defensive lineman Tank Booker, a 6-foot-4, 320-pound interior defensive lineman who spent four years in College Park, announced his departure from the Terps on March 6. He visited Arkansas soon after and now appears to be on the Buckeyes' radar once again. 

📍🌰

— Tank Booker (@arbj14_) March 21, 2023

Booker prepped at Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods High School, where he was a second-team All-State selection and the Enquirer Division II Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. Last year at Maryland, he registered a career-high six tackles against SMU while forcing a pair of fumbles and picking up a sack against Michigan a week later. 

Due to the extra year of eligibility dating back to 2020, Booker should have up to two more years of college eligibility remaining. The official transfer portal window doesn't open until the month of May.