By 11W Staff
on January 1, 2026 at 2:29 pm
Joseph Maiorana / Imagn
All of Ohio State’s transfer news, all in one place.
Welcome to the Eleven Warriors Transfer Portal Tracker, where we’re collecting updates on Ohio State’s transfer portal activity this January.
Wide receiver Bryson Rodgers was the first Ohio State player to announce his intention to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 18. Tight end Jelani Thurman followed moments after the Buckeyes’ loss to Miami in the Cotton Bowl, while quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, defensive back Bryce West and defensive end C.J. Hicks announced their decisions Thursday.
JAN. 1, 2026
Running Back Sam Dixon Enters the Transfer Portal
Ohio State running back Sam Dixon enters the transfer portal for the second time in two years, concluding his Buckeye tenure with three seasons of eligibility remaining.
JAN. 1, 2026
Defensive End C.J. Hicks Enters the Transfer Portal
Former five-star recruit C.J. Hicks is entering the transfer portal for his final year of college football after four years at Ohio State. Hicks preserved his final year of eligibility by playing in just four games this fall.
JAN. 1, 2026
Cornerback Bryce West to Enter the Transfer Portal
Bryce West will enter the transfer portal after two years with the Buckeyes. The Glenville High School product will have three years of eligibility remaining at his next stop.
JAN. 1, 2026
Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz to Enter the Transfer Portal
Lincoln Kienholz will enter the transfer portal after three years with the Buckeyes. Kienholz told Eleven Warriors before the Cotton Bowl that he had conversations with Ryan Day and quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler about entering the portal this offseason.
DEC. 31, 2026
Walk-On Quarterback Mason Maggs to Enter the Transfer Portal
Walk-on quarterback Mason Maggs will enter the transfer portal after four years with the Buckeyes. Maggs is the son of former Ohio State center Bob Maggs, a two-time All-Big Ten honoree in the mid-1980s who passed away in October.
DEC. 31, 2025
Tight end Jelani Thurman to Enter the Transfer Portal
Jelani Thurman will enter the transfer portal after three years with the Buckeyes. Thurman’s announcement via On3’s Hayes Fawcett came minutes after Ohio State lost to Miami in the Cotton Bowl.
DEC. 18, 2025
Wide receiver Bryson Rodgers to Enter the Transfer Portal
Bryson Rodgers will enter the transfer portal after three seasons with the Buckeyes.
