Ohio State transfer portal wins: 3 best players Ryan Day secured from winter window ft. Max Klare

The No. 6-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes have added six new players for next season from the transfer portal. Ohio State coach Ryan Day has led the Buckeyes to a great season as they continue their pursuit of the College Football Playoff national championship.

Ohio State (12-2) is coming off a dominant 41-21 win over the No. 1 Oregon Ducks (13-1) in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. Quarterback Will Howard completed 17 of 26 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns. He connected often with wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who had seven receptions for 187 yards and two TDs.

On Friday, the Buckeyes will face the No. 4 Texas Longhorns (13-2) in the Cotton Bowl. A win would advance the team to the championship on Jan. 20 against the winners of the No. 5 Penn State Nittany Lions (13-2) and No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (13-1) game on Thursday.

Although the Buckeyes are having a successful season, the six new signees could improve the team. Here are the top three players who will play for Day next season.

Top three transfer portal players joining the Ohio State Buckeyes next season

#3, Ty Howard, linebacker

On Sunday, linebacker Ty Howard announced on X/Twitter that he had transferred from the Duquesne Dukes to the Buckeyes for his senior year. He played nine games last year, totaling 53 tackles (27 solo) and three interceptions.

On Nov. 23, Howard played his final game for Duquesne in a 21-14 loss to the Central Connecticut Blue Devils, finishing with eight total tackles (five solo).

Ohio State could be without its best linebacker Cody Simon, who is expected to declare for the 2025 NFL draft. Simon has 97 total tackles, 43 solo tackles, seven sacks and one forced fumble. His efforts have helped Day's team become one of the Big Ten's best defensive teams. As Simon finishes his final run with the team, Howard could be a nice fit to replace him.

#2 CJ Donaldson Jr., running back

Running back CJ Donaldson Jr. transferred from the West Virginia Mountaineers to the Buckeyes on Dec. 23. He finished the season with 163 carries for 734 yards and 11 touchdowns.

On Dec. 17, Donaldson Jr. played his final game for West Virginia in the Frisco Bowl, losing 42-37 to the Memphis Tigers. He had 22 carries for 83 yards and two touchdowns.

Ohio State has running back TreVeyon Henderson, but he is finishing his senior year and could declare for the NFL draft. He leads the team in rushing yards with 126 carries for 925 yards and 10 touchdowns. His absence could lead to Donaldson taking the primary running back position.

#1, Max Klare, tight end

Tight end Max Klare signed with Day's team on Dec. 28 after two seasons with the Purdue Boilermakers. This season, he led Purdue in receiving yards with 51 receptions for 685 yards and four touchdowns.

On Nov. 30, Klare played his last game for the Boilermakers in a 66-0 blowout loss to the No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers. He had five receptions for 36 yards.

Ohio State's addition of Klare gives the Buckeyes another receiving target for the program, who can be a threat to opposing teams.