Ohio State football: Kelly hire opens up transfer portal doors

The Ohio State football program has hired Chip Kelly as the new offensive coordinator just hours after Bill O’Brien left without ever coaching a single down. It’s an excellent hire for the Buckeyes. It’s an instant upgrade and this hire is better than the original one. Ryan Day now has someone who is a dynamic play-caller for his offense.

Not only does this help the current play-calling issue, but Day has someone on staff who has experience leading a big-time major program too. He can lean on Kelly with head coaching decisions too. This hire doesn’t only help the current roster, but it also opens up doors for them once the transfer portal opens up in the Spring and for current UCLA players.

The Ohio State football team could poach current UCLA players

With Kelly leaving for Ohio State, UCLA players will now have 30 days to decide if they want to transfer or not. The Buckeyes could be in on some of those players if they do decide to leave, particularly on the offensive line. There will be players there who have played for both Kelly and offensive line coach Justin Frye who would love to play for both of them again.

I guarantee you that current UCLA players will at least have exploratory conversations with the Buckeyes about transferring in. Ohio State will certainly have some players leave the program in the Spring so roster spots will open up. This hiring could be a home run in more ways than one when you really dive into it.

Players from other programs will certainly take a harder look at Ohio State now as well. They have everything they need to win a national title. Other players might want to jump on this freight train before it starts moving downhill towards that goal. Ryan Day has had a heck of an offseason.

I can’t wait to see what this offense looks like during the Spring game. Kelly coaching Will Howard has me super pumped.