Ohio State football set to host pair of SEC transfer portal visitors – and they could end up Buckeyes as a packaged deal
Ohio State is hosting a pair of key Alabama defenders.
The transfer portal has been open since last Friday and it’s been a very busy time for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Ohio State has lost well over a dozen players from its roster to the transfer portal — and more could be on the way. That’s the reality of how college football works in the year 2025 — and it shows just how hard it is to keep depth.
The Buckeyes have picked up a pair of commitments already with Ohio TE Mason Williams, UTSA WR Devin McCuin, and UCF DT John Walker. Ohio State is now set to host a pair of visitors who last played for Alabama.
Alabama Crimson Tide duo to visit Ohio State
According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, the Buckeyes will host former Alabama duo DL James Smith and EDGE Qua Russaw out of the transfer portal. The two come from the same high school in Alabama and chose the Crimson Tide as a packaged deal. The expectation is that they will transfer to their next school together.
Smith will have one year of eligibility left as the No. 1 defensive lineman in the portal, according to 247 Sports. Smith was a five-star recruit in the class of 2023 and totaled 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks as a junior at Alabama. The talented defensive lineman has played in 37 games over three years for the Tide — and would be a sure-fire starter if he were to land with the Buckeyes.
Russaw is the No. 9 EDGE and No. 47 player overall in the portal, per 247 Sports. The former Alabama pass rusher had 14 tackles with one sack in nine games this past season. Russaw was a top-10 EDGE coming out of the state of Alabama in the class of 2023.
Ohio State already added Walker to the interior of the trenches, but they could use more help to pair with Eddrick Houston and Will Smith Jr. The Buckeyes have lost Caden Curry to graduation off the EDGE and C.J. Hicks, Logan George have decided to hit the transfer portal. Kenyatta Jackson’s decision will be a big one for the Buckeyes, but they still need more depth rushing the passer.
Getting both former Alabama players on campus is the first step that needs to officially happen. If the Buckeyes can do that, they’ll have a chance to make a splash.
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