Ohio State Buckeyes safety Ja’Had Carter is back in the transfer portal, as he announced on social media on Sunday.

It’s Carter’s second trip through the portal after transferring from Syracuse to Ohio State a season ago.

Joining a new team can be intimidating for some players. Chase Young is an exception.

The recently signed New Orleans Saints defensive end has spent the past month getting to know his new teammates and coaches ahead of the coming season. Lucky for Young, the former Ohio State Buckeyes star has already shared a locker room with most of his current colleagues.

The Saints currently have three former Buckeyes players on their roster (excluding Young): cornerback Marshon Lattimore, linebacker Pete Werner and receiver Chris Olave. Young said he is eager to get to work with those familiar faces and new ones like head coach Dennis Allen.

Ohio State’s 2025 NFL draft class could be one for the ages, making the one just concluded feel like a prelude. Most of the key players from last year’s Buckeye team opted to come back, though many would have been high draft picks.

Thank the desire to finally beat Michigan and win a Big Ten championship and a national title as well as reaping the benefits of name, image and likeness for their returns to Columbus.

Ohio State likely will have double-digit draft picks in 2025, with numerous ones potentially going in the first round. Marvin Harrison Jr. was the only Buckeye taken among the first 32 picks this year.

The future draftees are spread at almost every position. The defensive line should be well-represented with Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau and Tyleik Williams. Defensive backs Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun, Jordan Hancock and Lathan Ransom could hear their names early. On offense, receiver Emeka Egbuka, running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, and guard Donovan Jackson could be the headliners.

Ohio State 2025 NFL draft prospects

Next year’s draft should be a Buckeye bonanza. Here’s a look at the top prospects, first on defense and then on offense:

Jack Sawyer, defensive end, senior

Sawyer made a splash late last season as he finished with five sacks in the Buckeyes’ final three games, including three against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. If the trajectory continues as he lives up to his five-star pedigree, he could become Ohio State’s highest-drafted defensive lineman since Chase Young went No. 2 overall in 2020.

Denzel Burke, cornerback, senior

Starting for the Buckeyes since he was a freshman in 2021, Burke bounced last year after he slumped as a sophomore, reemerging as one of the top cover cornerbacks in college football. At 6-foot-1, he won’t be as lanky as other corner prospects, but he has a refined technique that limits completions against him. Burke’s confidence will also help with the jump.

J.T. Tuimoloau, defensive end, senior

Though his stat-stuffing performance at Penn State two years ago set the bar a bit high, Tuimoloau has been a consistent game-wrecker on the defensive line with his pass rush and run stuff. His combination of size and athleticism, allowing him to move around and drop in coverage, should put him high on teams’ draft boards next spring.  

Tyleik Williams, defensive tackle, senior

When Williams enrolled at Ohio State in 2021, he weighed more than 360 pounds. The extra pounds limited his stamina and snaps. But as he dropped 40 pounds, his role in the interior of the defensive line expanded, and he broke out as a junior last fall. Williams is still a physically imposing tackle at 6-foot-3 and 327 pounds, making him a load to handle for blockers.

Cody Simon, linebacker, senior

Simon is an instinctive inside linebacker in line to take over for Tommy Eichenberg as the “Mike” for the Buckeyes. He’s experienced, having started in 2021, as well as rotating for Eichenberg and as part of three-linebacker packages the last two seasons. Returning for his extra COVID-19 year of eligibility and moving up the depth chart, he’ll have a chance to raise his draft stock as a super senior.

Lathan Ransom, safety, senior

The talented safety missed the end of last season because of a foot injury. Though Ransom intended to enter the NFL draft before the injury, he is pleased to have another year as a Buckeye. He impressed as a sophomore in 2021 before breaking a leg in the Rose Bowl against Utah. Ransom had an excellent year in 2022 until the Michigan game. He ranked third on the team in tackles with 74 and was a Thorpe Award semifinalist.

Davison Igbinosun, cornerback, junior

After transferring from Mississippi to Ohio State last year, Igbinosun emerged as the starting cornerback opposite Burke and should be an intriguing prospect next spring if he forgoes his senior season. His 6-foot-2 frame gives him extra length for a cornerback, and he is also a strong tackler. His 59 tackles were the third-most for the Buckeyes.

Jordan Hancock, cornerback, senior

With Ohio State maintaining a deep group of cornerbacks, Hancock largely filled in as a slot safety last season. It’s easy to project Hancock as a nickel cornerback as a result, but the limited opportunities at outside cornerback could make him a more challenging evaluation for teams.

Ty Hamilton, defensive tackle, senior

A late bloomer in the mold of his older brother, he should see his role expand after he split starts with Mike Hall Jr. last season. Hamilton has been a valuable run stuffer for the Buckeyes and has good size for an interior tackle at 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds.

Emeka Egbuka, wide receiver, senior

Egbuka has been overshadowed for most of his Buckeye career, first by Jaxon Smith-Njigba and then by Marvin Harrison Jr. But he is a bona fide star in his own right. Egbuka has all the tools – speed, hands, work ethic, intelligence – to become the next first-round receiver from Ohio State.

TreVeyon Henderson, running back, senior

Injuries have kept Henderson from being the dominant runner he is capable of being. He has missed games in all three seasons as a Buckeye. The hope is that sharing the load with Quinshon Judkins will keep both of them fresh and limit the chance for injury. Henderson has the speed and elusiveness to make him a game-breaking threat whenever he finds daylight.

Quinshon Judkins, running back, junior

Judkins was a workhorse for Ole Miss in his first two seasons, and he was an All-SEC star. Judkins said he has no misgivings about sharing the load with Henderson because a lighter workload should make him more effective and be less of a grind on his body.

Donovan Jackson, guard, senior

Jackson was a five-star recruit who has been quite solid but not necessarily dominant so far. He has all the tools to become that type of player. Jackson is big, strong and athletic for a player his size and is a student of the game.

Will Howard, quarterback, senior

First, Howard has to secure the OSU starting job, which he has not done yet. But assuming that Howard beats out Devin Brown, he’ll have the keys to a high-powered offense. Howard might not be an elite passer yet, but has ideal size and mobility as well as maturity and other intangibles to make him a potential NFL quarterback.

Josh Simmons, offensive tackle, junior

Simmons was thrown into the deep end last year as a transfer from San Diego State. He arrived after spring practice and then switched from the right to left side of the line. Simmons had some struggles early but then settled in as the year progressed. Teammates describe him as an athletic freak. If the mental side of the game catches up with the physical, watch out.

Gee Scott Jr., tight end, senior

Scott finally gets a chance to start following the departure of Cade Stover to the NFL. A former receiver, Scott has gradually bulked up to become a capable blocker while maintaining his receiver skills.

Seth McLaughlin, center, senior

McLaughlin was a starter at Alabama, though his final year was marred by some snapping issues late in the season. Assuming that’s a blip, McLaughlin should solidify a center position that was a liability last year.

Josh Fryar, offensive tackle, senior

Fryar isn’t the most gifted athlete, but he is a grinder who’ll maximize his ability. There has been some speculation he might move inside to guard this season, but spring practice ended with him firmly back at right tackle.

Ohio State NFL draft picks 2024

• Round 1, Pick 4: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Cardinals
• Round 2, Pick 54: Mike Hall Jr., DT, Browns
• Round 4, Pick 123: Cade Stover, TE, Texans
• Round 5, Pick 148: Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Raiders

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