MAJOR Ohio State Transfer Portal Rumors After Jim Knowles Leaves For Penn State + Chip Kelly Update
The college football world is buzzing with fresh speculation surrounding the Ohio State Buckeyes, as transfer portal rumors intensify in the wake of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ sudden departure for Penn State. Add to that ongoing questions about offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s long-term status with the program, and it’s clear that major changes could be on the horizon in Columbus.
Jim Knowles’ exit was confirmed earlier this week, shocking many within the Buckeye community. Known for transforming Ohio State’s defense into one of the most formidable units in the country, his move to a Big Ten rival has not only raised eyebrows but has also caused unease among several current players. With Knowles now set to run Penn State’s defense, the ripple effect across Ohio State’s locker room is already being felt.
Sources close to the program report that multiple defensive players are weighing their options, with several upperclassmen and underclassmen alike considering entering the transfer portal. Though no official announcements have been made as of now, insiders believe the next few weeks will be critical in determining who stays and who goes. Names of potential departures have been kept under wraps, but it’s believed that a mix of linebackers and defensive backs—players who flourished under Knowles’ aggressive scheme—are now re-evaluating their future in scarlet and gray.
Meanwhile, on the offensive side of the ball, questions continue to swirl around Chip Kelly’s role. After joining the staff in early 2024 to take over the offense, Kelly’s presence was seen as a major win for the Buckeyes. However, with multiple rumors suggesting that NFL teams and other college programs are eyeing him for bigger roles, there’s growing concern that Kelly might not be in Columbus for long.
While head coach Ryan Day has publicly expressed confidence in the team’s coaching structure and dismissed the speculation as “just part of the offseason noise,” fans and analysts are watching closely. Kelly’s offense showed flashes of brilliance last season, and losing him so soon after Knowles would be a significant blow to the program’s stability, especially with another national title run in sight.
Recruiting could also be impacted by these coaching changes. Several 2025 defensive recruits who had strong relationships with Knowles are rumored to be reconsidering their commitments. The Ohio State coaching staff is reportedly working overtime to reassure both current players and recruits that the Buckeyes remain a championship-caliber destination, regardless of who is calling the plays on either side of the ball.
In this era of high-stakes NIL deals, rapid transfers, and coaching shakeups, stability is a rare commodity in college football. Ohio State now finds itself navigating one of the more uncertain periods in recent memory, with its core identity and roster potentially at risk.
