The transfer portal continues to reshape college football, and for the Ohio State Buckeyes, it has opened the door to potentially bolster one of the program’s most important position groups—defensive line. As Ryan Day and his staff gear up for a season packed with championship aspirations, fortifying the defensive front has become a priority. With a mix of emerging young talent and proven veterans, the Buckeyes have a strong foundation on the line, but they’re clearly not content with standing pat. According to multiple reports and insider buzz, Ohio State has been linked to three high-impact defensive line targets in the transfer portal—each of whom could bring a unique element to a unit looking to dominate in the trenches this fall.
The first name generating considerable interest is TCU defensive tackle Damonic Williams. At 6-foot-2 and 320 pounds, Williams is a space-eater with rare burst and strength for his size. A freshman All-American in 2022 and an All-Big 12 selection last season, Williams is as disruptive as they come on the interior. What makes him particularly attractive to the Buckeyes is his versatility and ability to plug up gaps in both even and odd fronts. With Michael Hall Jr. off to the NFL and the Buckeyes needing a new anchor in the middle, Williams could slot into a starting role immediately. He recorded 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2023, showing he’s more than just a run-stuffer. The competition for his services is stiff, with SEC and Pac-12 powers also in the mix, but Ohio State’s culture, track record of NFL development, and defensive-minded identity under new co-defensive coordinator Jim Knowles could give the Buckeyes a strong shot.
Another portal name that has caught the attention of the Buckeyes’ staff is Purdue’s Nic Scourton. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive end was a force off the edge for the Boilermakers, and after entering the portal as one of the most sought-after pass rushers, he’s been evaluating landing spots that can showcase his talents on a national stage. Ohio State fits the bill. Scourton totaled nine sacks last season, including standout performances against Iowa and Michigan State, and he brings a relentless motor and refined hand technique to the edge position. What separates Scourton from others in the portal is his physical maturity and football IQ. He’s not just a pure athlete—he’s a technician. Pairing him with returning Buckeye standouts JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer would give Ohio State a terrifying rotation on the edge, one that could rival the best units in the country. If the Buckeyes can land Scourton, it would mark one of the most impactful defensive additions in this portal cycle.
The third intriguing transfer target is Memphis standout Jaylon Allen. While not as widely known as Williams or Scourton, Allen’s film speaks volumes. At 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, he brings elite quickness, bend, and closing speed. A late bloomer in terms of national attention, Allen broke out with an impressive 2023 campaign, posting 11 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. He’s especially effective in third-down situations, where his explosiveness off the line causes nightmares for opposing quarterbacks. What makes Allen an appealing option for Ohio State is his ability to be used in multiple ways—he can line up as a stand-up outside linebacker in hybrid sets or hand-in-the-dirt defensive end depending on the scheme. This kind of flexibility is a perfect fit for Knowles’ defense, which has shown more willingness to mix up fronts and disguise blitzes. Allen has two years of eligibility remaining and would benefit tremendously from Ohio State’s strength program and positional coaching.
While the Buckeyes already boast a promising core up front, the pursuit of these transfer portal targets underscores a broader trend: Ohio State is no longer just recruiting for depth—they’re recruiting for domination. The goal isn’t just to compete with Michigan or reach the College Football Playoff. The standard in Columbus is to win national titles. To do that, the trenches must be elite. Bringing in any of these three would elevate the ceiling of this defensive line room and provide immediate-impact players to complement the current roster. The timing couldn’t be better. With Ohio State’s spring practices in full swing and summer workouts around the corner, the Buckeyes are seeking to round out their roster before fall camp.
Adding a talent like Damonic Williams would give them a long-term plug in the middle who can eat up double-teams and disrupt the backfield from the inside out. Landing Nic Scourton would bring a proven Big Ten pass rusher into the fold, someone who has already succeeded in the conference and could step into a leadership role quickly. And should Jaylon Allen choose Columbus, the Buckeyes would gain a hybrid edge threat who can shift momentum with a single play.
The transfer portal may have once been seen as a tool for desperate programs trying to fill holes. That’s no longer the case. For blue bloods like Ohio State, it’s become a calculated strategy to maintain dominance and keep pace with the sport’s rapidly evolving landscape. With NIL packages, national exposure, and the promise of development under NFL-minded coaches, Ohio State is as appealing as any destination in the country. Whether they land one or all of the three, the message is clear: the Buckeyes are going all-in on building the fiercest defensive front in the nation.