Ohio State attacked the transfer portal intent on stopping Michigan's run of Big Ten supremacy.
The same night Michigan clinched the national title with a 34-13 victory over Washington, two-time All-SEC running back Quinshon Judkins went on social media to announce he was transferring from Mississippi to Ohio State.
Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, the school's touchdown pass record holder at 48, and former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin had committed to Ohio State days earlier. Former Alabama safety Caleb Downs, a second-team All-American last season while making 107 tackles, joined them less than two weeks later.
They made the decision understanding completely the high demands of a fan base dissatisfied with a Buckeyes program that has gone 11-2 but lost to Michigan each of the last three years.
"Same expectations that I've had my whole life," Downs told reporters. "The same expectations we had at 'Bama -- to win games, dominate every game and go win a championship."
Ohio State's transfer class is as star-studded as any to sign with a single school during the portal era. The second-ranked Buckeyes' other additions include quarterback Julian Sayin (formerly at Alabama), tight end Will Kacmarek (Ohio), safety Keenan Nelson Jr. (South Carolina), punter Anthony Venneri (Buffalo) and linebacker Joey Velazquez (Michigan).
WR ISAIAH BOND, TEXAS
Bond showed an ability to deliver in the clutch at Alabama that should enable him to emerge as a top weapon for the fourth-ranked Longhorns.
Bond caught 48 passes for 668 yards and 4 touchdowns last season. He caught the fourth-and-31 touchdown pass in the final minute of a 27-24 victory at Auburn and followed that up by compiling five receptions for 79 yards in the Crimson Tide's 27-24 SEC Championship Game triumph over Georgia. SEC media made Bond a preseason second-team All-SEC selection.
QB DILLON GABRIEL, OREGON
The former UCF and Oklahoma quarterback will suit up with No. 3 Oregon for his sixth season.
Gabriel is tied for fourth place in NCAA history with 152 career total touchdowns (125 passing, 26 rushing, 1 receiving). He also ranks seventh in total yards (15,925), eighth in yards passing (14,865) and eighth in touchdowns. If Gabriel stays healthy, he could set the record for most career starts by a quarterback. Gabriel has started 49 games. The record of 61 is owned by Bo Nix, who preceded Gabriel as Oregon's quarterback. Gabriel leads a heralded Oregon transfer class that also includes cornerback Jabbar Muhammad (formerly at Washington) and wide receiver Evan Stewart (Texas A&M).
QB RILEY LEONARD, NOTRE DAME
Leonard's move to No. 7 Notre Dame makes him the third transfer in the last four years to open a season as the Fighting Irish's starting quarterback, following Jack Coan (Wisconsin) in 2021 and Sam Hartman (Wake Forest) in 2023.
Ankle and foot injuries limited Leonard to seven games last year at Duke after an outstanding season in 2022. During that 2022 campaign, Leonard threw for 2,967 yards with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions, and he also rushed for 699 yards and 13 scores.
DT WALTER NOLEN, OLE MISS
When he signed with Texas A&M, Nolen was rated as the nation's No. 2 overall prospect in his high school class by composite rankings of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports. He totaled 66 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and five sacks in two seasons with the Aggies before transferring to No. 6 Ole Miss. SEC media made him a preseason first-team all-conference selection.
FILE - Then-Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs (2) sets up for a play against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
FILE - Then-Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond carries the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
FILE - Then-Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) scrambles during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Kansas, Oct. 28, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E Braley, File)
FILE - Miami quarterback Cam Ward aims a pass during NCAA college football practice, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Coral Gables, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier, File)
FILE - Then-Mississippi running back Quinshon Judkins runs upfield for a first down against Mississippi State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
FILE - Then-Duke quarterback Riley Leonard (13) looks for a receiver during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
FILE - Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) is tackled by then-Purdue linebacker Nic Scourton (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
