Three home run portal targets who could reshape Ohio State’s roster

The transfer portal has become less about patching holes and more about taking calculated swings that can alter a program’s trajectory. Ohio State has never been shy about recruiting at an elite level, but in the modern era, championship margins are often decided by a handful of portal additions who fit both scheme and culture.

As the Buckeyes navigate another pivotal offseason, three names stand out to me as true home run swings — players who combine upside, production, and positional need.

Chaz Coleman (DE, Penn State)

If Ohio State is going to take a big swing in the portal, Chaz Coleman makes all the sense in the world.

The true freshman defensive end out of Penn State is an Ohio native with rare athletic tools, length, explosiveness, and bend that simply cannot be coached. Coleman did not have elite production his first year in Happy Valley, but within coaching circles he is viewed as a long-term difference-maker and the type of player you bet on early before the crazy breakout happens.

Coleman is the perfect high upside Ohio-born edge play in this cycle.

That projection and potential has sparked a full-blown bidding war. LSU, Tennessee, Ohio State, and others are all in the mix, but momentum may be shifting. Coleman is expected to visit Columbus in the coming days, and Ohio State’s recent success developing edge defenders could loom large in that decision.

With uncertainty around future edge depth and snaps opening up, Coleman represents the perfect blend of immediate rotational potential and long-term starter upside. This is the type of recruitment Ohio State has historically won, and one that could pay off for years.

Rasheem Biles (LB, Pitt)

Ohio State’s linebacker room faces real turnover. Sonny Styles is gone, Arvelle Reese is likely gone, and proven, instinctive linebacker play is suddenly a priority rather than a luxury. Enter Rasheem Biles.

The Pitt transfer and Ohio native was one of the most productive linebackers in the country last season, piling up over 100 tackles while playing with a downhill, heat-seeking style that fits Big Ten football perfectly. Biles diagnoses quickly, closes violently, and brings a physical presence Ohio State values in the middle of its defense.

His recruitment, however, has been anything but straightforward. A scheduled visit to Ohio State was canceled. A Miami visit followed the same fate. For now, things are quiet, but that may present an opportunity. Ohio State has a need, Biles has proven production, and the pull of home has historically mattered for Ohio natives in the portal.

If the Buckeyes can re-enter the picture, Biles would not just be depth, he would be an immediate plug-and-play contributor with leadership value.

Koi Perich (S, Minnesota)

Few portal targets feel as logical as Koi Perich. The former Minnesota safety burst onto the scene with an outstanding freshman campaign in 2024, showcasing range, instincts, and ball skills that made him one of the most intriguing young defensive backs in the Big Ten.

This past season, however, was a misstep. Minnesota attempted to use Perich on both sides of the ball, and the result was a diluted role that muted his impact.

Now in the portal, and committed to playing safety full-time, Perich is searching for a reset. Ohio State makes sense on every level, and now has a second chance at a perfect fit.

The Buckeyes pushed hard for Perich out of high school and finished second in his recruitment before he signed with the Gophers. They now face a glaring safety need with Caleb Downs heading to the NFL, and few programs in the country can match Ohio State’s track record of developing NFL safeties.

Interestingly, Ohio State has not been aggressive early in Perich’s portal process, and his recruitment has remained quiet. But circumstances change quickly in January. If the Buckeyes decide to re-engage, Perich’s familiarity with the program, combined with a clear role and development pipeline, could make this a natural reunion.

The bigger picture

None of these players are guarantees — that’s the nature of portal recruiting. But all three represent calculated risks with massive upside, exactly the kind of swings elite programs must take to stay ahead.

Coleman offers rare physical tools at a premium position. Biles brings immediate production and physicality. Perich provides a high-ceiling solution at safety with unfinished business. If Ohio State can land even one of these names, it would drastically strengthen the roster. Landing two, or all three, could reshape the Buckeyes’ entire championship outlook heading into the next season.

In the portal era, home run swings matter more than ever. These are Ohio State’s.