The Ohio State Buckeyes’ 2024 season was a true Cinderella story. From head coach Ryan Day teetering on the edge of job loss to leading his team to a national championship, Columbus became the epicenter of college football glory. The momentum carried into 2025, with Ohio State securing a top-five recruiting class. Yet, just as the Buckeyes seemed poised for another dominant year, a bombshell from the university’s admissions office threatens to upend everything—especially the transfer portal.
A Recruitment Powerhouse Faces an Unexpected Obstacle
Day’s squad had been riding high, boasting a massive 26-player class evenly split between offense and defense. Ranked No. 3 by Rivals and On3 and No. 5 by 247Sports, this class was the largest since the 2018 cycle. However, on March 12, Ohio State delivered a curveball that could shake the foundation of Day’s recruiting strategy: the reinstatement of ACT/SAT requirements for first-year applicants beginning in the 2026 admissions cycle.
College admissions analyst Alexis White took to social media, expressing her shock and frustration. “Ohio State just announced that starting in fall 2026, test scores will be mandatory. For juniors planning to apply, this changes everything,” White said. “They needed to give at least two years’ notice. Athletes who thought their skills on the field were enough are now facing a major academic hurdle.”
White speculated that the change was driven by an overwhelming number of applications, with Michigan hitting 112,000 submissions and Ohio State likely not far behind. To manage the influx, the university is tightening academic standards—a move that could deter some top athletic prospects from committing to the Buckeyes.
The Transfer Portal Dilemma: A Potential Exodus?
For athletes eyeing Columbus as their future home, this unexpected academic requirement could be a deal-breaker. Many recruits and transfers, who banked on their athletic prowess to secure a spot, now face the daunting challenge of standardized testing. The added pressure could prompt some to reconsider their commitments and explore other programs with more lenient academic policies.
If key players back out, the transfer portal could become a revolving door for Ohio State, with prospects fleeing to programs that prioritize athletic performance over test scores. This could spell disaster for Day’s carefully curated roster and disrupt the team’s chemistry heading into future seasons.
Ryan Day’s Next Big Move: Securing Amir Brown
Despite the turmoil, Day isn’t slowing down. His focus is on landing 4-star running back Amir Brown for the 2027 class. Brown, a standout from Rolesville High School in North Carolina, is a hot commodity after racking up 903 total yards and 16 touchdowns in his breakout sophomore season.
Ohio State extended an offer just days after clinching the championship, but the competition is fierce. Brown’s campus tour includes stops at North Carolina (March 22), Notre Dame (April 11), Ohio State (April 12), Duke (April 19), and Penn State (April 26). With North Carolina, now led by coaching legend Bill Belichick, emerging as a frontrunner, the Buckeyes face an uphill battle.
Will Ohio State’s Academic Shift Cost Them Big?
Securing Brown would give Ohio State its first running back commitment for the 2027 class and bolster Day’s offensive strategy. However, the looming ACT/SAT requirement casts a shadow over the program’s future. Will top recruits like Brown be willing to navigate the added academic pressure, or will they opt for programs with fewer barriers?
For Ryan Day and the Buckeyes, the clock is ticking. They must not only convince recruits of the program’s athletic prestige but also provide the support needed to conquer the academic gauntlet. If they succeed, Ohio State could maintain its powerhouse status. But if the transfer portal opens the floodgates, the Buckeyes’ golden era could face an abrupt and painful end.
