Ohio State football starter makes bold statement about transfer addition who could reach stardom in Columbus
Ohio State safety Jaylen McClain didn’t hold back on what he thinks about one of the Buckeyes’ most important transfer additions.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are going to bery different looking defense in 2026 without players like Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, Kayden McDonald, and Davison Igbinoson.
Ohio State does return players like Kenyatta Jackson, Jaylen McClain, and Devin Sanchez to its defense. McClain specifically could be a player set to take a big jump in his second season as a starter.
McClain is likely to be Ohio State’s do-it-all safety in the secondary and he recently got honest about a transfer addition who is going to have a big impact.
Ohio State starter gets honest about Big Ten transfer addition for the Buckeyes
The Buckeyes needed to add some experience at the linebacker position and they did so in the transfer portal by adding former Wisconsin LB Christian Alliegro. Alliegro brings 35 games of Big Ten experience and will help alleviate the loss of Reese and Styles.
McClain was asked who wasn’t being talked about enough for the Buckeyes on The Austin & Birm Show.
“Christian [Alliegro,] the linebacker,” McClain stated. “He’s gonna be a dog for us. I’ve seen him do some special things in the spring. Then in the summer. You’ll see him do some special things.”
He’s just … he’s an animal,” McClain added. “He just plays really fast and aggressive. You could tell that at his old school, he was one of the best players on the field, too. Being able to come here and show me, well, not just me, but like the coaching staff and other players as well, he’s going to be able to do the same things? It means a lot.”
Alliegro had 53 tackles, four sacks, and eight tackles for loss in 10 games for the Badgers last season. As a sophomore, the Buckeyes linebacker had 66 tackles and three sacks at Wisconsin. He has proven Big Ten production and he flies all over the field, it was an easy addition for the Buckeyes to make with what they needed.
Last year against Ohio State, Alliegro broke his arm but continued to play in a game the Buckeyes firmly controlled. Alliegro is a tough-nosed athletic linebacker at 6-foot-4, 241 pounds who should be on the field a ton for Matt Patricia’s defense this fall.
The Connecticut native is a player that Ohio State fans need to get familiar with for the 2026 season, clearly.