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Ohio State’s biggest transfer portal addition has made the change needed to be a star in 2025 before jumping to the NFL

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated Apr 3, 2025 9:17 PM ET

Ohio State didn’t hit the transfer portal this last go around as they did the previous. The Buckeyes didn’t need to go out and land Caleb Downs, Quinshon Judkins, or Will Howard.

What Ohio State did do was go out and grab a couple of starters, as well as some needed depth in certain areas.

One of those starters is OT Ethan Onianwa, who is poised to be a key piece for the Buckeyes in 2025. Onianwa revealed on Thursday that he has dropped 30 pounds and is down to 335 pounds as of right now.

Left tackle Ethan Onianwa, who has dropped almost 30 lbs since enrolling and is down to 335. pic.twitter.com/iA6Mqm9PEw
— Dave Biddle (@davebiddle) April 3, 2025

Onianwa is expected to be one of Ohio State’s starting offensive tackles in 2025 and he is entering his redshirt senior season. Onianwa very well could have been a draft pick out of Rice next month but chose to transfer to Columbus to up his stock. A body transformation was always a part of the plan and that has taken place.

“He’s done a great job [and is] very coachable. [He’s] working his tail off. I’ve been impressed with Ethan,” Ohio State offensive line coach Tyler Bowen said on Thursday. “He’s an impressive size guy from size and length, but it’s his smarts, it’s his work ethic. The way he approaches it every day, that’s been the most impressive to me.”

After losing Josh Simmons and his injury replacement Donovan Jackson to the NFL draft, Onianwa can slide in on the left side. Fellow transfer Phillip Daniels is seen as the favorite to take over on the left side. Ohio State has had good turnouts with offensive lineman transfers. Simmons and former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin will both be drafted later this month after their Ohio State careers.

Bowen is in his first year at Ohio State and he has a veteran offensive lineman like Onianwa to help stabilize the group. The 6-foot-6 tackle should be an early-round draft selection next year if everything goes to plan.

Landing high-level transfers is key in today’s world of college football and the Buckeyes are doing a good job at it. Onianwa has a chance to be the next testament to the offensive line development in Columbus.