Eric Boggs
The first fallouts for losing to Michigan for a fourth consecutive time have arrived in the form of transfer portal exits. Linebacker Gabe Powers and wide receiver Jayden Ballard announced their decisions to enter the NCAA transfer portal following the conclusion of Ohio State’s regular season. Both players, once highly-touted recruits with promising potential, leave the program in search of greater opportunities elsewhere.
Gabe Powers: Seeking a Fresh Start
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Gabe Powers, a Marysville, Ohio native, will depart Ohio State after three seasons. Powers, the first Buckeye to declare his transfer intentions this offseason, will not remain with the team for its potential College Football Playoff run.
Despite showing flashes of his talent, including a memorable pick-six in the 2023 season opener against Akron, Powers struggled to carve out consistent playing time in a loaded linebacker corps. He recorded five total tackles and a pass breakup this season while playing just 28 defensive snaps.
With the emergence of young talent like Arvell Reese and the depth at the linebacker position, Powers found himself facing an uphill battle for significant playing time. Opting to explore new opportunities, Powers will enter the portal with two years of eligibility remaining.
Jayden Ballard: A Buckeye’s Difficult Farewell
Jayden Ballard, a redshirt junior wide receiver and lifelong Ohio State fan from Massillon, Ohio, also announced his intention to transfer. Ballard’s decision marks the end of a four-year tenure during which he struggled to make a substantial impact amid one of the nation’s deepest wide receiver rooms.
Part of the heralded 2021 recruiting class that included Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr., Ballard arrived at Ohio State as a top-100 prospect. However, his time in Columbus was defined by limited opportunities. He tallied just 11 receptions for 177 yards and one touchdown in his career, with his highlight coming on a 72-yard touchdown against Toledo in 2022.
Despite Egbuka’s impending departure, Ballard’s path to playing time in 2024 remained crowded with rising stars like Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, and Bryson Rodgers poised to dominate the receiver rotation. Freshman Mylan Graham, a redshirt this season, is also expected to contend for reps next year.
Transfer Portal Dynamics
The NCAA transfer portal officially opens on Monday, December 9, and will remain open through December 28. Players from postseason-bound teams have an additional five-day window to enter the portal after their seasons conclude. While entering the portal doesn’t require players to immediately decide on their next destinations, many use this opportunity to explore potential fits.
For Ohio State fans, the departures of Powers and Ballard are a reminder of the challenges of maintaining a deep and competitive roster. While both players showed glimpses of their potential, the crowded depth chart at their respective positions made consistent contributions difficult.
Buckeye Nation wishes Powers and Ballard success as they pursue new opportunities. Their time in Columbus may have been brief, but their dedication to the Scarlet and Gray will not be forgotten. As the transfer portal era continues to reshape college football, Ohio State remains focused on reloading and competing at the highest level.
Stay tuned for updates as Ohio State navigates offseason roster changes and prepares for a potential postseason run.
