Ohio State is showing interest in one of the top transfer portal pass rushers that comes from the Big Ten
We are amid transfer portal announcements coming left and right around the college football landscape. Ohio State, like every other school, will lose and gain some players via the portal. The Buckeyes are notably already showing major interest in one of the top pass rushers in the portal. With Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau set […]
We are amid transfer portal announcements coming left and right around the college football landscape. Ohio State, like every other school, will lose and gain some players via the portal.
The Buckeyes are notably already showing major interest in one of the top pass rushers in the portal. With Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau set to be NFL draft picks in April, Ohio State is going to need some depth off the edge.
Nebraska transfer James Williams is hearing from the team Columbus, according to 247 Sports’ Chris Hummer. The talented pass rusher is also receiving interest from Texas A&M. Williams currently has a crystal ball projection to land at Florida State.
Williams is a 6-foot-6, 250-pound pass rusher that had five sacks for the Cornhuskers this season and had two last year. The former JUCO product from Missouri is going to have plenty of interest overall and the Buckeyes should be in the mix.
“Williams is a long pass rusher who really came into his own in 2024. He wins with his first step and range as an athlete, possessing good closing speed to finish plays. While he isn’t the bendiest rusher out there, Williams is able to create quick pressures with that first step, and his length allows him to win outside shoulder and cross face against oversetting tackles. Williams has a clean frame that should be able to add more weight, which will help his overall power profile and ability against the run long term.” – Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports
Past this season, Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson would be the top pass rushers currently on the roster. Ohio State seems content with keeping freshman Eddrick Houston on the interior of the defensive line. Curry and Jackson both have 1.5 sacks this season. It is worth noting that Ohio State doesn’t do a ton of rotating along the defensive line.
Zion Grady is the only edge rusher committed in the class of 2025 and he is ranked as the No. 9 player at the position in the class. The Buckeyes have had trouble recruiting pass rushers the last couple of seasons, at least when it comes to their top targets.
Williams would be a nice addition to a unit that needs to add bodies from the portal for next year’s roster. Time will tell whether or not the Buckeyes will be able to make a real run at bringing in Williams.
Oddsmakers are already saying what they think will happen between Ohio State and Tennessee in the College Football Playoff
The Buckeyes are in a good spot.
