Chris Wilds
As the college football transfer portal evolves into one of the most strategic recruiting tools in the sport, programs like Ohio State are leaning in—hard. With the portal acting as a key piece in the team’s recent College Football Playoff national championship, Ryan Day’s Buckeyes are now aiming to revamp their defensive front, not just for depth, but for dominance. Below are five defensive linemen in the portal who not only check those boxes but could play a significant role in the Buckeyes’ 2025 campaign—along with an analysis of where they are most likely to land.
1. TJ Bush – EDGE, Liberty
- Productivity Rank: 1st
- Recruiting Pedigree: 5th
- Likelihood to OSU: Medium
Top 3 Predicted Destinations:
- South Carolina
- Ohio State
- NC State
Bush has proven to be one of the most disruptive edge defenders in the portal. His last two seasons at Liberty were electric—90 tackles, 16 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, and 9 pass breakups—earning him a PFF grade of 78.4 in 2024.
Bush’s lack of blue-chip recruiting pedigree may keep him off the top of some radars, but he is drawing interest from Power Four schools looking for instant edge production. If Ohio State does not land their top EDGE targets, expect them to make a strong late push.
2. Elo Modozie – EDGE, Army
- Productivity Rank: 2nd
- Recruiting Pedigree: 4th
- Likelihood to OSU: Medium-Low
Top 3 Predicted Destinations:
- Michigan State
- Penn State
- Ohio State
Modozie is one of the most compelling wildcards in the portal. With 34 tackles and 6.5 sacks last season, he helped lead one of the stingiest defenses in the country at Army. His ability to stand up or play with his hand in the dirt makes him scheme-versatile. The question is whether the adjustment from Army’s scheme to a Big Ten front is a bridge Ohio State is willing to build.
“He’s raw, but he can bend and close like a linebacker,” said one Big Ten defensive coordinator. “Give him some coaching, and you’ve got something scary.”
3. Beau Atkinson – EDGE, North Carolina
- Productivity Rank: 3rd
- Recruiting Pedigree: 2nd
- Likelihood to OSU: High
Top 3 Predicted Destinations:
- Ohio State
- Tennessee
- Auburn
No player in this group is more strongly connected to Columbus than Beau Atkinson. A former top 150 recruit, Atkinson has all the physical traits—6’6”, 260 pounds, long arms, and a relentless motor. Multiple Ohio State staffers follow Atkinson on social media, and internal sources confirm that he is a top priority for Johnson and the Buckeyes. He is the most likely of the five to wind up in scarlet and gray. According to a former North Carolina assistant coach, “Beau’s got Sunday traits—length, hips, acceleration, in the right room, he explodes.”
4. De’Marion Thomas – DT, Vanderbilt
- Productivity Rank: 4th
- Recruiting Pedigree: 3rd
- Likelihood to OSU: Medium
Top 3 Predicted Destinations:
- Ohio State
- Texas A&M
- Louisville
A consistent performer in the rugged SEC trenches, Thomas started all 13 games for Vanderbilt last season, totaling 34 tackles and a sack. While his stats are not astonishing, his ability to eat up blocks and control the point of attack has drawn attention. Ohio State sees him as a valuable piece in a defensive tackle rotation. With two years of eligibility left, he offers both short-term value and developmental upside.
5. Joshua Horton – DT, Miami
- Productivity Rank: 5th
- Recruiting Pedigree: 1st
- Likelihood to OSU: Low-Medium
Top 3 Predicted Destinations:
- UCF
- Mississippi State
- Ohio State
Though lightly used in Miami’s stacked defensive front, Horton remains a high-ceiling prospect. At 6’ 4”and 295 pounds, with a four-star recruiting pedigree, Horton is the kind of developmental player who could blossom under the right coaching. Ohio State tends to target more immediate contributors from the portal, but Larry Johnson could be intrigued enough by Horton’s upside to bring him in as a long-term project
Final Word
For Ohio State, the path forward in the portal is all about strategic upgrades. If immediate impact is the goal, TJ Bush and De’Marion Thomas offer proven, physical, and have ready-to-play ability. But if developmental ceiling and scheme fit is the goal, Beau Atkinson is the crown jewel of this cycle—with the Buckeyes in prime position to land him.As the college football transfer portal evolves into one of the most strategic recruiting tools in the sport, programs like Ohio State are leaning in—hard. With the portal acting as a key piece in the team’s recent College Football Playoff national championship, Ryan Day’s Buckeyes are now aiming to revamp their defensive front, not just for depth, but for dominance. Below are five defensive linemen in the portal who not only check those boxes but could play a significant role in the Buckeyes’ 2025 campaign—along with an analysis of where they are most likely to land.
