"Caleb Downs, the Alabama Transfer". Alright, we all get sick and tired of the constant references to our players, and their former universities. However, the other day, I was thinking about this OSU team, and it hit me. This team is very much "home grown". 

Julian Sayin - Basically a recruit. Spent 9 days signed with Alabama. Never practiced for them. Bo Jackson - Recruit. Every WR - Recruit. 3/5 TE - Recruit. 4/5 starting OL - Recruit. Entire starting D-line - Recruit. Every LB - Recruit. Every corner except Iggy - Recruit. Downs - Transfer. McClain - Recruit

In today's game, this is honestly a remarkably high amount of production coming from HS recruiting. And yet, I have not seen a single analyst discussing this. Texas Tech and A&M have used the portal to become good. Miami has used it to become "OK". 

But interestingly enough, the Top-2 teams (by a wide margin, imo) are the two teams with a ton of cohesion. Yes Indiana has a TON of portal players, but that number is deceiving, as several of them have followed the entire staff at IU. 

Looking ahead to next year, and I know there may be a few surprising portal entries, but nonetheless, OSU's projected starting core follows a similar vein. In fact, the only positions I think we will really need from the portal is another DE if Kenyatta leaves, and potentially a Safety to replace Downs, and a WR to replace Tate (but this might not even be needed). 

There has been so much talk about how the portal and NIL opens up opportunities, and we've seen Texas Tech take advantage. But has anyone else really? To me, the portal has really only done one thing in the national title race, and that is make the best teams worse, as their backups are plucked by lower level teams. However, while this does help the lower level teams, it still doesn't make them a Natty contender (sorry Texas Tech, you're phony). I see teams like Nebraska signing 7, yes SEVEN, players on signing day, in preparation for a massive portal haul. But is this really sustainable?

Florida State had one great year forgetting about HS recruiting and relying on the portal. Since then? 

I get that it is easier said than done, and it may take longer than fans/admins would want. But I really believe there is a path for a mid-level team to grow from the ground up by focusing on their core. Spending what NIL they do have on retention. 

In my opinion, Ohio State has nailed the portal era. Yes it would've been nice to land a bigger name DE last year, but at the same time (and I'm not going full Clemson mode here), I think there is a benefit of focusing more on your ground-up culture, and using the portal more as the salt and pepper, to add flavor to your already established meat and potatoes. OSU trusted Kenyatta and Curry. And guess what? They've been 2 of the best DE's in the conference. 

With that said, OSU could very easily not repeat and the point is moot. But if they do, someone should take notice of how OSU is handling this era, and should give Day/Pantoni their flowers.