Analyst Explains Why Ohio State Is Currently College Football’s “Apex Predator”
When it comes to attracting talent via the transfer portal, the Ohio State Buckeyes have been among the top teams in college football.
Quinshon Judkins of Ole Miss, safety Caleb Downs of Alabama, offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin of Alabama, quarterbacks Will Howard of Kansas State and Julian Sayin of Alabama, and running back Quinshon Judkins of Alabama have all joined the Bucks in the last two months alone. The latter two are regarded as the biggest stars and difference makers in the portal.
Josh Pate, an analyst on 247Sports, thinks Ohio State has become the “Apex Predator” of the NIL and transfer portal game as a result.
“Ohio State, which I used to mention on this show as a program that wasn’t really a NIL player, has suddenly emerged as the top predator of NIL athletes in the league,” Pate stated. “Ohio State has already recruited and acquired more five-star players this cycle than the whole conference combined, both through the portal and recruitment. They now have more than Texas and Alabama put together.
Are reviews with five stars the most significant thing in the world? Not always. And Judkins is the only place to look.
Judkins was a three-star recruit out of high school who shot straight to prominence as an Ole Miss freshman running back. He finished as one of the nation’s top backs.
The Buckeyes, who are ranked seventh in the 247Sports team rankings and fifteenth according to On3, are also far from having the greatest portal haul in the nation.
DB Caleb Downs of Alabama Has a commitment to Ohio State
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That being said, the Buckeyes have achieved an incredible feat. In addition to gaining Sayin, Judkins, and Downs—three of the best players in the portal—they also improved with Howard over former quarterback Kyle McCord.
Not to mention being selected in a top recruiting class that included Jeremiah Smith, the nation’s top recruit overall.
All of that added to the historically high caliber of NFL players returning to Columbus explains why Ohio State is one of the favorites to win the national championship in 2024.
