Ryan Day warns that Ohio State is about to get even better as top-ranked transfer addition eyes debut
The No. 1-ranked team, coming off wins against Texas and a 70-point drubbing at home, is about to get even better. Ohio State’s defensive end unit is undergoing a significant transformation for the 2025 season, and transfer Logan George is poised to play a key role. Despite not seeing the field in the Buckeyes’ dominant […]
The No. 1-ranked team, coming off wins against Texas and a 70-point drubbing at home, is about to get even better.
Ohio State’s defensive end unit is undergoing a significant transformation for the 2025 season, and transfer Logan George is poised to play a key role. Despite not seeing the field in the Buckeyes’ dominant 70-0 victory over Grambling State in Week 2—a game where 35 players logged defensive snaps—head coach Ryan Day provided an update on George’s status during a Tuesday press conference, hinting at his potential return.
George’s absence in the Grambling State blowout raised eyebrows, especially after he also missed Ohio State’s Week 1 win over Texas. However, his eventual integration into the lineup could bolster a defensive end group that blends talent with inexperience.
Logan George set to make Ohio State debut
The Buckeyes’ defensive end room features seniors Kenyatta Jackson and Caden Curry, both stepping into starting roles for the first time. C.J. Hicks, another senior, is adapting to a full-time defensive end position after transitioning from linebacker in the offseason. Beau Atkinson, a senior transfer from North Carolina, brings some experience but is still acclimating to Ohio State’s system. Behind them, George and true freshman Zion Grady represent the next wave of talent at the position.
George, a junior from Pocatello, Idaho, joined Ohio State in December 2024 after a standout tenure at Idaho State, an FCS program. In his redshirt sophomore season in 2024, he led the Big Sky Conference with 19.5 tackles for loss, ranking eighth nationally, and recorded 57 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and six quarterback hurries. His performance earned him attention from Power Four programs like Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Nebraska before he committed to the Buckeyes.
Recruiting Tidbits on Logan George
- Late Bloomer: George was the No. 18 prospect in Idaho’s 2022 recruiting class and initially chose to walk on at Utah State over scholarship offers, showcasing his determination to earn his place at the collegiate level.
- Hometown Connection: Hailing from Pocatello, Idaho, George shares a hometown with former Ohio State defensive tackle Tommy Togiai, whose high school coach provided glowing recommendations that influenced the Buckeyes’ recruitment.
- Rapid Recruitment: Ohio State extended a scholarship offer to George on December 16, 2024, and he committed just one week later after a whirlwind of visits to Oklahoma, Georgia Tech, and Texas A&M, underscoring his high demand in the transfer portal.
George’s size (6-foot-5, 259 pounds) and versatility—he played primarily in a three-man front at Idaho State but can slide inside in four-man alignments—make him a valuable addition. As Ohio State prepares for the departure of star defensive ends Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau to the NFL Draft, George’s experience and athleticism could see him compete for significant snaps in 2025.
With Coach Larry Johnson refining his technique, George’s return to the field could provide the depth and playmaking Ohio State needs to maintain its defensive dominance. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this FCS standout transitions to the Big Ten stage.
