Ohio State Defense Adds Via Transfer Portal

Patience. We preached patience when addressing Ohio State’s slow start to this year’s transfer portal chaos. It turns out that patience is beginning to pay off. While Ohio State has missed out on a couple of targets like kicker David Olano and wide receiver Tre Brown, it has nailed two additions on defense. With the expectation that Matt Patricia will have to replace another eight or so NFL Draft-bound players, plus a handful of portal departures, the Buckeyes had to go out and get a few pieces from the portal.

Following a few successful visits, the Buckeye defense will have a couple of new names to watch.

Ohio State Defense Adds Via Transfer Portal

John Walker, DT (UCF)

The first impact transfer of the cycle came by way of former UCF defensive tackle John Walker. While he shares a name with the junior varsity Captain America (a.k.a. U.S. Agent), he can make an impact bigger than that of the wannabe Steve Rogers. Walker comes to Ohio State after spurning the Buckeyes during the 2023 recruiting cycle. In his three seasons with the Knights, Walker comes to Ohio State with two more years of eligibility.

As a true freshman in 2023, Walker appeared in all 13 games. In that time, he totaled 24 tackles, five tackles for loss, half of a sack, and a pass breakup. He was a regular piece of the rotation with the expectation that he’d be a full-timer in 2024. Unfortunately, he suffered a significant leg injury in Fall Camp, so he missed the entire 2024 season. Then, as a fully healthy redshirt sophomore, Walker had another strong season last year. He posted 40 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble.

If Pro Football Focus is your thing, Walker graded out as the Knights’ top run defender. With Kayden McDonald expected to declare for the draft alongside Tywone Malone, the Buckeyes have to rebuild the interior defensive line. Walker, along with Will Smith Jr. and Eddrick Houston, should be a favorite to be a breakout in 2026.

The six-foot-four, 324-pound tackle is an immediate upgrade with legitimate NFL aspirations.

Christian Alliegro, LB (Wisconsin)

The Rasheem Biles dream may be over. However, Wisconsin linebacker Christian Alliegro has committed to Ohio State. Even if the Buckeyes can’t bag the Columbus native in Biles, Alliegro would be a fine prize. Alliegro was part of the rotation for all three seasons at Wisconsin, logging 11 starts in 35 appearances. He amassed 124 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and three pass breakups. While the expectation is that Riley Pettijohn and Payton Pierce will be the starting linebackers next year, it doesn’t hurt to add experience.

Last year, Alliegro began to break out as a starter for the Badgers. He started the year with 48 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, and a pass breakup through the first seven games. However, in that seventh game (against Ohio State), Alliegro broke his arm. While he played through it against the Buckeyes, he missed the next two games. Even then, he finished the year with 53 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, and a pass breakup.

In the game against the Buckeyes, Alliegro stood out despite the 34-0 beating. He notched a pair of tackles for loss and was the Badgers’ second-leading tackler.

What About Chaz Coleman?

There has been too much smoke to ignore regarding Chaz Coleman and Ohio State. After the Buckeyes took down Penn State, Coleman was seen chatting with a Buckeye staff member before being shooed away by a Nittany Lions coach. Considering the Buckeyes wanted him out of high school as an in-state talent, it makes sense there was a little, “hey, if you wanted to get out of here, you’d have a home here,” kind of thing.

In his only season with Penn State, Coleman didn’t get the opportunity to do too much. He only appeared in nine games, good for just 150 snaps. In that time, he recorded eight total tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. He was actually the one to scoop up CJ Donaldson‘s fumble deep in Ohio State territory.

Coleman has been lauded as a high-upside EDGE rusher. He was a multi-positional player in high school and could be an instant-impact player for the Buckeyes off the edge. Even if he needs a little seasoning, Ohio State needs to add at least one defensive end with so many departures. Coleman will have an opportunity to challenge for playing time right away with Zion Grady and Beau Atkinson.

At this point, it’s anybody’s guess what he’s doing or what the holdup could be.

Who’s Next?

Ideally, Ohio State isn’t done. In the secondary, Koi Perich is still out there. He was a star in the Minnesota defense and could be a plug-and-play Caleb Downs replacement. Ohio State tried to flip him, but he stuck with his hometown team. If Perich isn’t the answer, there are a few highly-touted youngsters on the roster at the position who could step up, like Blaine Bradford (2026 freshman) or Faheem Delane.

Ohio State has now whiffed on two cornerback targets in Bo Mascoe and Kayin Lee. Former Maryland corner La’Khi Roland is still a player of interest, of course. In 11 games last year, Roland amassed 21 tackles and three interceptions. One of those interceptions was a 100-yard touchdown in that ridiculous defensive performance in the win over Towson.

The Buckeyes could also be the landing spot for former Alabama defensive linemen James Smith or Qua Russaw. Pitt defensive tackle Francis Brewu is also taking a visit.

If Larry Johnson wants another EDGE via the portal, maybe Damon Wilson? He’s leaving Missouri after just one season, after two at Georgia, but Ohio State was hot on his trail in the recruiting cycle. Wilson is currently embroiled in a whole NIL thing with Georgia.  However, he notched nine sacks last year, with an interception, a fumble recovery, and two pass breakups. He’s a stud, but the question will be whether the team wants to deal with a player countersuing Georgia.