Ohio State, Ryan Day Zeroing in on Dynamic SEC WR in Transfer Portal

Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes have not exactly had great luck in the transfer portal this winter, losing 33 players while only bringing in 11 thus far.

Ohio State has been hit particularly hard at wide receiver, where it has watched six players head out the door following the departure of offensive coordinator Brian Hartline.

The Buckeyes have bagged just one receiver in the portal through the first couple of weeks, nabbing former UTSA weapon Devin McCuin, but they are apparently zeroing in on another.

Spencer Holbrook of On 3 has reported that Ohio State is making a push for LSU Tigers receiver Kyle Parker, a three-star transfer who is the 65th-ranked wide out in the portal, via 247 Sports.

Parker caught 31 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns last season in a rather crowded wide receiver room in Baton Rouge.

The 5-foot-11 playmaker began his collegiate career at LSU in 2023 but barely played in each of his first two seasons, failing to log a statistic in his debut campaign and then posting three catches for 55 yards and a touchdown in Year 2.

Parker used a redshirt season to gain more eligibility and will be a redshirt junior heading into the 2026 college football campaign.

The question is, how much playing time would Parker receive in Columbus?

The Buckeyes are fielding a receiving corps that includes Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss and incoming five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr., who is generating nearly as much hype as Smith did when he arrived at Ohio State two years ago.

Parker would also have to battle with McCuin, who actually enjoyed a rather productive three-year stretch at UTSA. Perhaps Parker would have the edge because he played in the SEC.

Regardless, the Buckeyes could definitely stand to add some depth at the position after losing so many pieces this offseason, including former five-star recruit Quincy Porter.

Ohio State went 12-0 during the regular season in 2025 but lost to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game. The Buckeyes then fell to Miami in the Cotton Bowl, ending their chances of repeating as national champions.

We'll see if Day is able to steal Parker away from the Tigers.