Ohio State Buckeyes Linked to 3 Intriguing Defensive Line Transfer Targets

The Ohio State Buckeyes have been connected to three defensive linemen in the transfer portal.

Sep 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day waits for his team before the game against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images | Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

If there is a position group in which the Ohio State Buckeyes are clearly lacking at the moment, it's their defensive line.

Considering that Ohio State has lost its entire four-man defensive front to the NFL Draft, this shouldn't come as a surprise, but that's the nature of the beast.

As a result, the Buckeyes are examining the transfer portal to try and find answers to the problem, and there are three defensive linemen they are weighing as potential additions: Syracuse's Maraad Watson, North Carolina's Beau Atkinson and Georgia Southern's Troy Pikes.

Jon Rhoades of Scarlet & Game did a great job breaking down each player, and each one of them would represent a great addition for Ohio State.

Watson and Atkinson are certainly the more interesting names of the trio, with the former having been named a Freshman All-American last season.

Watson registered 31 tackles, a couple of tackles for loss and a sack during his debut campaign with the Orange, but he has made the decision to transfer out of the program.

The Buckeyes need more help on the interior of their defensive line than anything else, and Watson would definitely help rectify that issue. Currently, Kayden McDonald and Eddrick Houston project to be Ohio State's starters at defensive tackle, which is definitely worrisome.

Meanwhile, Atkinson racked up 35 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 2024, so he has absolutely displayed impressive pass-rushing prowess. Then there is Pikes, who is more of a depth piece than anything else.

We'll see if Ohio State is able to land one of the three in the coming days or weeks.

Read More Ohio State Buckeyes Coverage