Faheem Delane is entering the transfer portal after just one season as a Buckeye.
The Ohio State safety announced he would enter the transfer portal on Saturday.
BREAKING: Ohio State true freshman Safety Faheem Delane is entering the @TransferPortal, he tells @On3sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 10, 2026
The 62 210 S will have 3 years of eligibility left
He was ranked as a Top 75 Recruit in the 2025 Class (per On3 Industry)https://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/MXdEjHLbuT
The No. 55 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, Delane appeared to be on a trajectory toward being a future starter for the Buckeyes. He played in all 14 of Ohio State’s games in 2025, including 81 snaps on defense as the Buckeyes’ No. 2 strong safety behind Jaylen McClain. He recorded 12 tackles with one tackle for loss as a true freshman.
With McClain returning in 2026, however, Delane has decided to take his talents elsewhere rather than potentially spend another year waiting for his opportunity to start.
He’s the third Ohio State safety to enter the transfer portal this week, joining Malik Hartford and Keenan Nelson Jr. Their departures, along with Caleb Downs’ entry into the 2026 NFL draft, increase the need for the Buckeyes to add a safety through the transfer portal. Ohio State now has just two returning safeties – McClain and Leroy Roker III – who played defensive snaps in 2025.
Delane is the seventh member of Ohio State’s 2025 freshman class to enter the portal after just one year as a Buckeye, joining wide receivers Quincy Porter and Bodpegn Miller, offensive linemen Jayvon McFadden and Isaiah Kema and defensive tackles Jarquez Carter and Maxwell Roy. He’s Ohio State’s 28th overall scholarship player to enter the portal since the end of the season.
