"There isn't much time to lament the loss, as the Jan. 2 portal looms and upcoming NFL draft decisions will shuffle depth charts and rosters. Teams must assess key players returning and leaving, create wish lists for the portal and assess where incoming recruits fit into the plan. The Buckeyes held onto five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. (No. 7 overall) during the early signing period, and the nation's top-ranked pass catcher enters 2026 as the headliner of an Ohio State class"
"Henry is one of only three skill position talents among the Buckeyes' 12 ESPN 300 signees. That's because Ohio State went heavy on defensive talent in the 2026 class, inking No. 4 safety Blaine Bradford (No. 43), top 10 linebackers Cincere Johnson (No. 80) and Simeon Caldwell (No. 92) and defensive end Khary Wilder (No. 73) within a deep group of talented defenders that also includes cornerback Jay Timmons (No. 195), the son of former Super Bowl champion Lawrence Timmons."
The College Football Playoff quarterfinals begin just before the transfer portal opens, forcing teams to balance present results with imminent roster changes. Four quarterfinal losers face quick transitions as portal access and NFL draft decisions loom. Teams must evaluate which key players will return or depart, create portal wish lists and integrate incoming recruits into roster plans. Ohio State, after a 12-2 season, retained five-star receiver Chris Henry Jr. and enters 2026 with a class ranked ninth by ESPN, emphasizing defensive signees including safety Blaine Bradford and linebackers Cincere Johnson and Simeon Caldwell. An under-the-radar priority for Ohio State is shoring up the trenches to contend for a national title in 2026.
Read at ESPN.com
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