Assessing spring impact of Buckeyes additions from first transfer window

COLUMBUS — Ohio State hasn’t added a player in the spring transfer window, which opened April 16 and will remain open until April 30. The Buckeyes have lost only two players to the portal since spring ball wrapped.

Significantly more roster turnover took place during the winter transfer window. That’s when Ohio State said goodbye to 20 players and welcomed in seven others from the portal.

Those seven include graduate quarterback Will Howard (Kansas State), true freshman quarterback Julian Sayin (Alabama), junior running back Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss), senior tight end Will Kacmarek (Ohio University), graduate center Seth McLaughlin (Alabama), sophomore safety Caleb Downs (Alabama) and graduate linebacker Joey Velazquez (Michigan).

Lettermen Row is examining that group’s early returns. In other words, what was their impact this spring?

QB Will Howard (Kansas State)

Howard came to Ohio State to (1) win the QB1 job and (2) improve his NFL Draft stock in his final year of eligibility. The 6-foot-4 dual threat hasn’t won the job yet, although that’s not shocking considering how head coach Ryan Day has handled competitions under center during his tenure. Devin Brown, who started last year’s Cotton Bowl and is back after an injury-riddled 2023 season, is giving Howard everything he has, as is first-year gunslinger Julian Sayin. Howard, though, brought 27 starts of experience, not to mention a Big 12 title, with him to Columbus. He shed his black stripe in late March and finished the spring season strong, even completing eight of his first nine passes in the spring game. That said, Howard — occasionally inconsistent in practices open to the media — didn’t create noticeable separation in the position battle throughout March and April.

QB Julian Sayin (Alabama)

When it comes to the quarterback competition, Sayin is “in the mix,” too, according to Day, who has spoke glowingly about the early enrollee’s approach this offseason. Day explained that Sayin doesn’t want his hand held, and that the Carlsbad, California, native has already put on 15 pounds since arriving at Ohio State. Not only is Sayin now 6-foot-1, 203 pounds, but he’s officially a Buckeye, too, after losing his black stripe nine practices into spring ball. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Chip Kelly described Sayin as a “very fast processor” who thinks quickly on his feet. While Sayin threw a pick and completed only 10-of-17 passes in the spring game, his body of work throughout the spring — and his non-freshman-like moments of brilliance — are most promising.

RB Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss)

Judkins looks every bit the part of a two-time All-SEC running back who piled up 34 total touchdowns and back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons during his two-year stay at Ole Miss. Judkins flashed his explosion on an inside zone run early in the spring game. He also caught a pass in the exhibition, and if that wasn’t a hint at how his hands will come in handy this season, his wheel route catch-and-run touchdown from Howard on Student Appreciation Day most certainly was. Judkins wants to be an all-purpose back at Ohio State, and he’ll have the opportunity to do so alongside senior TreVeyon Henderson. Kelly has a history of maximizing the talents of multiple players in the same backfield. He’s expected to work his magic with the Buckeyes, too.

TE Will Kacmarek (Ohio University)

Kacmarek is in the TE2 conversation, and he played the most snaps of any Buckeyes tight end in the spring game. The Ohio University senior transfer got some work in with the first-team offense, in addition to his action with the backups. He reeled in a pair of passes for 24 yards in the exhibition. Kacmarek has receiving chops, as evidenced by his combined 44 catches the last two seasons. But his blocking ability could make him a go-to for second-year tight ends coach Keenan Bailey when it comes to Ohio State’s 12-personnel packages. Kacmarek registered a 69.4 Pro Football Focus run blocking grade last year.

C Seth McLaughlin (Alabama)

McLaughlin seems to have put his snapping issues behind him and is in good position to become Ohio State’s starting center. He played center with the first-team offense in his only two series of the spring game. Meanwhile, Carson Hinzman — the Buckeyes’ incumbent starting center and McLaughlin’s biggest competition — began the spring game at right guard. Although Hinzman can’t be ruled out at center, it’s worth noting that he was getting time at right guard while McLaughlin played exclusively center during the exhibition. McLaughlin has earned praise this offseason for his football acumen and how quickly he’s picked up the offensive vernacular at Ohio State. Having 25 starts under his belt is coming in handy, especially as it pertains to calling out IDs on the interior.

S Caleb Downs (Alabama)

Most of Ohio State’s transfer additions this offseason have taken place on the offensive side of the ball. After all, the Buckeyes returned eight starter-level and draft eligible defenders. But pulling in Downs — a second-team AP All-American safety — from the portal was arguably the Buckeyes’ biggest triumph this winter. Downs is a difference maker, and that’s already showed up in practice, where Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has moved the do-it-all defensive back just about everywhere. Downs can blitz, and he’s already one of the best tacklers on the team. He’s been working on his coverage skills, specifically in the post. His tireless work ethic and preparation stand out the most.

LB Joey Velazquez (Michigan)

Velazquez was the most under-the-radar transfer addition of the offseason for the Buckeyes, despite the fact that he came from rival Michigan. While in Ann Arbor, Velazquez lettered in both football and baseball. He made a greater impact on the diamond, where he started 63 of the Wolverines’ 80 games in 2022-23. Originally, though, the sixth-year linebacker is from Columbus, so perhaps it’s fitting that he’s finishing his lengthy, and busy, college career close to home. Velazquez contributes to Ohio State’s linebacker depth. He played all of his spring game snaps in the fourth quarter.

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