Zero former Ohio State players listed in top-25 best available in transfer portal

The Athletic released its version of the top-25 best players available in college football’s transfer portal on Friday. In what might come as a surprise to many, zero former Ohio State players made the cut, including QB Kyle McCord and

The Athletic released its version of the top-25 best players available in college football’s transfer portal on Friday. In what might come as a surprise to many, zero former Ohio State players made the list. That includes quarterback Kyle McCord and the 13 other Buckeyes who have entered their names in the portal.

Also, of the 25 players listed, Ohio State is tied to just one of them at this point (per the writer of the piece, Max Olson). That player is outside linebacker Trey Moore, who is ranked 12th by Olson:

12. OLB Trey Moore, UTSA: Moore was a Freshman All-American for the Roadrunners in 2022 and took the next big step this fall in becoming the AAC’s Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound edge rusher ranked No. 3 in the FBS this season in sacks (14) and eighth in tackles for loss (17.5) and has been credited with 77 total pressures over the past two seasons according to PFF. Moore has two more seasons of eligibility and is considering Texas, Alabama and Ohio State, among others.

Moore would be a good get for the Buckeyes, no question. However, he is obviously a hot commodity on the free agent market. I mean, a sought-after student-athlete in the transfer portal.

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The No. 1 player on the list is defensive lineman Walter Nolen, formerly of Texas A&M:

1. DL Walter Nolen, Texas A&M: There was little debate among Power 5 recruiting and personnel staffers surveyed by The Athletic that Nolen is the best player in the portal.

The former No. 2 overall recruit from Tennessee was the highest-rated signee in Texas A&M’s historic 2022 recruiting class and has played up to expectations in his two seasons in College Station, starting 14 games and producing 66 tackles, 33 pressures, 11 tackles for loss and five sacks.

The 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive lineman has first-round pick potential and two more seasons of eligibility. Rarely do you see players of his caliber become available in the portal, but the Aggies’ coaching change and the departure of defensive line coach Elijah Robinson to Syracuse prompted Nolen to explore his options. He has Oregon, Ole Miss and many more College Football Playoff contenders competing for the chance to sign him.

Many believe, present company included, that adding an offensive lineman is the top priority for Ohio State in the portal. The top O-lineman available, according to The Athletic, is Cayden Green from Oklahoma who checks in at No. 10.

10. OL Cayden Green, Oklahoma: This was one of the more surprising transfer portal decisions of the month. Green, a top-100 recruit, moved into the starting lineup for five of the Sooners’ last six games as a true freshman and looked poised to be a major talent to build around up front. Oregon and Missouri are two schools to keep an eye on in the recruiting battle for the talented 6-foot-5, 316-pound guard.

Another offensive lineman that would look good in Scarlet & Gray is right tackle Chase Bisontis from Texas A&M. He is ranked 13th among all players in the portal. The Buckeyes could, in theory, start Bisontis at right tackle and move Josh Fryar inside to guard. But Bisontis has plenty of suitors.

13. OL Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M: It’s never easy to be a starting right tackle in the SEC as a true freshman, and Bisontis went through his fair share of struggles against that fierce competition in his lone season with the Aggies. But the 6-foot-6, 320-pound lineman, a top-50 recruit from New Jersey, has the size and skill to be great as a tackle or guard and did pick up Freshman All-America recognition for his efforts. Bisontis has reportedly heard from more than 25 schools since entering the portal and is as coveted as any lineman currently available.