As an Offensive Player Enters, the Ohio State Buckeyes Face a Setback: Portal Gain Comes with Unexpected Loss
In the constantly shifting landscape of college football, the Ohio State Buckeyes are no strangers to the seismic jolts of the transfer portal. Spring ball has brought both excitement and anxiety to the Horseshoe, as the team continues to reload for another College Football Playoff push. The most recent twist? A high-profile offensive addition has joined the Buckeye family—just as a key player heads for the exit, potentially shifting the trajectory of Ryan Day’s 2025 plans.
The Arrival: Welcome to Columbus, Malachi Nelson
The Buckeyes made national headlines this week with the addition of former USC quarterback Malachi Nelson, a former five-star recruit and one-time Lincoln Riley prodigy. Nelson, who redshirted in 2023 and saw limited action behind Miller Moss in 2024, was looking for a new home where he could flourish. After entering the portal with a flurry of speculation surrounding his next move, the Long Beach, California native shocked many by selecting Ohio State.
For Buckeye fans, the news is equal parts thrilling and puzzling. With a talented quarterback room already headlined by Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz, and early enrollee Julian Sayin, Nelson’s arrival creates both opportunity and tension. Multiple sources close to the program suggest that Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly have a specific vision for Nelson’s role—likely tied to the style of offense Kelly prefers.
Nelson’s strengths as a passer—tight windows, mobility, and next-level vision—fit perfectly into Kelly’s aggressive schemes. Though Sayin has the highest upside in the long term, Nelson may be the best fit right now for Kelly’s 2025 offensive overhaul.
However, as is often the case in the portal era, one player’s gain is another’s departure.
The Exit: TreVeyon Henderson Shocks the Buckeye Nation
The celebration over Nelson’s commitment was still echoing when the Buckeyes were hit with a crushing blow: star running back TreVeyon Henderson entered the transfer portal late Tuesday evening.
Henderson, who had returned for a final season in Columbus after flirting with the 2024 NFL Draft, was expected to be the offensive cornerstone of the Buckeyes in 2025. After an injury-plagued 2023 campaign, Henderson returned in full force last fall, rushing for 1,260 yards and 14 touchdowns. His ability to bounce outside, create separation in the screen game, and break open-field tackles made him an All-Big Ten performer and a preseason All-American for 2025.
According to multiple sources, Henderson’s decision was not sudden. While publicly committed to Ohio State, he had grown increasingly frustrated with the crowded quarterback situation, coaching shifts, and—most significantly—his role in the new offense designed by Chip Kelly.
While Kelly is an offensive wizard, his systems have traditionally favored quarterback-centric attacks, relying less on bell-cow backs and more on dual-threat QBs and short passing game extensions. Henderson, a traditional workhorse back, reportedly felt his touches would be minimized. Conversations about splitting reps with Dallan Hayden and incoming freshman Bo Jackson only fueled his discontent.
By the time Nelson committed, Henderson was already leaning toward the portal. The QB’s arrival sealed the decision.
Where the Buckeyes Stand Now
This portal swing leaves Ohio State in a strange position: more dangerous through the air, but less dynamic on the ground.
Quarterback Depth
Nelson’s arrival gives the Buckeyes four scholarship quarterbacks, all with starting potential. Ryan Day now faces a delicate balancing act. Devin Brown, who started games in 2024, is the most experienced. Lincoln Kienholz, an elite athlete, brings versatility. Julian Sayin, once the crown jewel of Alabama’s class before flipping to Ohio State, is perhaps the future. And now Nelson, polished and hungry, enters the fray.
A quarterback competition is imminent—and potentially chaotic. It’s hard to imagine all four QBs staying through fall camp. Speculation already surrounds Kienholz as a portal candidate if he slips on the depth chart. Nelson’s transfer might trigger a domino effect similar to what Georgia and Texas faced in recent years.
The winner of this competition may not just decide the offense’s direction—it may define Ohio State’s postseason ceiling.
Running Back Uncertainty
With Henderson gone, the Buckeyes lose more than just production. They lose leadership, reliability, and big-game experience.
Dallan Hayden is a capable runner, rushing for 750 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2024. He’s consistent but lacks Henderson’s explosiveness. Sophomore James Peoples and redshirt freshman Sam Williams-Dixon offer potential, but neither has proven himself as a three-down back. Incoming freshman Bo Jackson, a four-star recruit from Ohio, brings pedigree and power, but he’s untested at the collegiate level.
Don’t be surprised if Ohio State explores the portal again—this time for a veteran running back. Names like Damien Martinez (Oregon State) and Jase McClellan (Alabama) are rumored to be exploring options. The Buckeyes must act quickly to fill the void left by Henderson.
Locker Room Impact
Player departures always carry emotional weight, but Henderson’s decision cuts deep.
He was more than just a productive runner—he was a captain, a motivator, and a culture-setter. His departure sends a message: the Buckeyes are in flux, and even top talent can choose to walk away.
That’s a tough pill for veterans like Emeka Egbuka and Donovan Jackson, who returned for one last run at a national title. It also forces Day and Kelly to double down on building trust with the locker room.
In an era where NIL, transfers, and coaching turnover shape the sport, emotional consistency becomes as valuable as X’s and O’s.
Big Ten Implications
Ohio State remains a favorite in the Big Ten, but Henderson’s loss complicates things.
Michigan, under new coach Sherrone Moore, has reloaded effectively through the portal. Penn State returns a rugged defense and a more mature Drew Allar. Oregon and Washington now enter the league with elite offensive systems and NFL-bound talent. And don’t sleep on USC or UCLA, who bring new flavors of competition to the East-heavy conference.
For Ohio State to reclaim the Big Ten crown, the quarterback situation must stabilize quickly—and someone in the backfield must step up to fill Henderson’s shoes.
Ryan Day’s Tightrope
Perhaps no one in Columbus feels the pressure of these moves more than Ryan Day.
After three straight losses to Michigan and two seasons outside the playoff, Day enters 2025 on a short leash with some corners of the fanbase. Bringing in Chip Kelly was a bold move, signaling a desire to innovate. Landing Nelson is a big win in the recruiting and development column.
But losing TreVeyon Henderson? That’s a narrative Ohio State fans won’t forget if things go sideways.
Day must now walk a tightrope between embracing change and maintaining stability. He must sell his vision to a locker room in transition. And most importantly, he must win.
What’s Next?
For Ohio State, the next few weeks will be critical.
The transfer portal window closes at the end of April, giving the Buckeyes little time to find a replacement for Henderson. Expect at least one running back visit to Columbus before then. Look also for more internal clarity at quarterback by the end of May, when spring evaluations wrap up.
Fall camp will be a crucible. The Buckeyes have the talent to contend for a national title—but cohesion is no longer guaranteed. With new faces, fresh playbooks, and emotional scars, the path back to glory will be anything but smooth.
But if there’s one thing Buckeye Nation knows how to do—it’s rally.
Final Word
In the ever-evolving saga of Ohio State football, the portal giveth, and the portal taketh away.
Malachi Nelson could be the next great Buckeye quarterback. He might even win a national title in scarlet and gray. But to do so, he’ll need help—and the void left by TreVeyon Henderson may loom large all season long.
Only time will tell if this exchange of talent becomes a masterstroke or a misstep. But one thing is certain: in Columbus, the stakes have never been higher.