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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Michael Chen

Which current and former Ohio State football transfers have something to prove in 2024?

We are firmly in the era of the transfer portal, and Ohio State football has seen some player go and some get welcomed into the program.

There is no doubt that during the winter transfer window, the Buckeyes gained some high-impact transfers from across the country. The big additions included former Alabama safety Caleb Downs and quarterback Julian Sayin, Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins and Kansas State quarterback Will Howard.

As the dust has settled, Brad Crawford of 247Sports looked at which transfers have the most to prove this season. Check out below which current and former Buckeyes made his list.

Center Seth McLaughlin

Breakdown

The offensive lineman joined Downs and Sayin in moving north to Columbus from Alabama. Crawford knows McLaughlin has experience. He started for two seasons while playing four. His biggest question mark is the snapping inconsistencies we saw during the Rose Bowl. McLaughlin can be an elite lineman, he just has to be consistent.

Wide receiver Julian Fleming

Breakdown

The former five-star prospect never lived up to the hype in Columbus. This offseason Fleming went back home, transferring to Penn State. Crawford sees him as a veteran that can finally play to what everyone thought he was, but he regressed this past year after a career best during his junior campaign. Does Fleming have a big season in him before he exhausts his eligibility?

Quarterback Kyle McCord

Breakdown

McCord left for a multitude of reasons, mainly due to Ryan Day not guaranteeing him the starting position come this fall. After an up-and-down season, why would he? Crawford sees McCord as “the hot commodity with pressure to perform alongside a first-year coach” at Syracuse. If he couldn’t handle the pressure in Columbus, can he with the Orange?

Running back Chip Trayanum

Breakdown

The third school of Trayanum’s career, he finally carved a solid role with the Buckeyes but with the addition of Quinshon Judkins and the return of TreVeyon Henderson, the carries just weren’t there. Crawford gets punny with his analysis, saying “no running back in the SEC will play with a bigger chip on his shoulder.”

Overview

My thoughts

Crawford is spot on with McLaughlin, he needs to clean up his snapping issues so Howard can be in sync with the rest of the offense. As for the Buckeye departures, McCord could have a good season, but the blanket of Marvin Harrison Jr. is gone. His inconsistent play was his biggest downfall.

Fleming is an addition by subtraction, as he battled injuries, and with him gone, it allows the younger, higher upside Buckeye wide receivers to get on the field more. As for Trayanum, I see him having a huge season. The talent was there, it was just hard to crack the Ohio State running back lineup. He’ll be the unquestioned lead back for the Wildcat offense.

Contact/Follow @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on X.

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