The Ohio State Buckeyes and head coach Ryan Day are still fresh off of their disappointing loss to the Miami Hurricanes in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
Ending the season with a loss against Miami was not expected. Ohio State was viewed by many as the favorite to win a second consecutive national championship. Unfortunately, Day and company head into the offseason needing to improve.
With the end of the season, the Buckeyes will also lose quite a few top talents to the 2026 NFL Draft. One of those players is none other than star safety Caleb Downs.
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Downs is expected to be a top-10 pick in the draft. Replacing him will be no easy task, but there is one player in the transfer portal that could help accomplish that goal.
Minnesota Golden Gophers safety Koi Perich might enter the portal. He is one of the top safeties in the nation.
Keeping that in mind, Ohio State has already been mentioned as a potential destination for Perich in the transfer portal. Chris Hummer of 247 Sports has named the Buckeyes as a team to watch.
“The sophomore safety had not yet entered the portal officially as of Saturday morning,” Hummer wrote. “Minnesota would like to keep him. Two of the early teams to watch are Ohio State and Miami.”
Should Perich decide to enter the portal, Ohio State will have a good chance of bringing him onboard.
Prediction: Koi Perich (Minnesota) transfers to Ohio State Buckeyes
Landing with the Buckeyes would be a perfect fit for Perich. He would slot right into a starting safety role and would immediately be in a position where he can compete for a national championship and develop for the NFL.
During the 2025 college football season with Minnesota, Perich racked up 82 total tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, an interception, a defensive touchdown, and two defended passes.
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Perich has made a major impact with the Golden Gophers. He has turned into one of the most talented defensive players in the nation. While he could stick with Minnesota, a transfer to a bigger program would help him take the next step.
Day will need to figure out how to replace Downs. There is no question that he would have a high level of interest in Perich if that opportunity presents itself.
For more on the Ohio State Buckeyes and for more college football news, head to Newsweek Sports.
