Ohio State finished the 2025 season with a 12-2 record, completing an undefeated 12-0 regular season, marking its first perfect regular season since 2019. However, the Buckeyes’ pursuit of a national championship ended with a 24-14 defeat to Miami in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals.
Attention is now on offseason roster moves, with the Buckeyes already being viewed as a prime landing spot for an elite wide receiver.
Ohio State Targets Explosive Transfer Receiver To Pair With Jeremiah Smith
Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Horton announced on Thursday that he plans to enter the transfer portal. With one year of eligibility left, PFSN’s Terrance Biggs listed Ohio State as a potential landing spot for him.
“With three wideouts in the portal and Carnell Tate heading to the NFL, Ohio State needs help outside. Horton could relieve pressure opposite Jeremiah Smith. If he handled Alabama, Columbus should pose no issues,” Biggs wrote.
Horton has a 75.2 rating in PFSN’s College Football WR Impact Metric. Adding him to Ohio State’s wide receiver room could benefit wideout Jeremiah Smith, who had 87 receptions for 1,243 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns this season, along with one rushing touchdown.
Horton started 11 games and played 601 snaps for Alabama this season, finishing with 42 catches for 511 yards and 8 touchdowns, tying for third in the SEC and 22nd nationally in receiving scores. In Alabama’s 38-14 win over Wisconsin on Sept. 13, he tied for the team lead in receptions with 5 for 48 yards and a score.
In the Crimson Tide’s 24-21 win the following week, Horton led all wideouts with 5 catches for 65 yards and a touchdown. He also led Alabama wideouts with 5 catches for 35 yards and a season-high three touchdowns in the school’s 27-20 win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl in November.
“Big-time players make big-time plays,” Horton said after the Auburn win. “I had to do that for my team.”
In the first-round CFP win over Oklahoma in December, Horton tied for the team lead in receptions with 5 for 65 yards. He transferred to Alabama from Miami before the 2025 season and started alongside Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams. He had a phenomenal season at Miami in 2024, as he recorded 56 catches for 616 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Former Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo praised Horton’s abilities and progression.
“Since he came in as a freshman, that guy has taken a huge step,” Arroyo told On3 in April 2025. “He’s one of those guys who can go up and get the ball. He’s not scared of
contact. He knows what he’s doing. He’s a smart player.”
Horton was ranked the No. 10 prospect in Tennessee and the No. 49 wide receiver nationally by 247Sports coming out of high school.
