Breaking News: Oregon has discovered a new method to defeat Ohio State
Oregon has managed to outpace Ohio State both on the football field and in recruiting this season, and now it has also won a key battle in the transfer portal. Dillon Thieneman, a former Purdue safety, announced his commitment to the Ducks on Saturday night, despite rumors suggesting he might visit Ohio State.
Thieneman spent two years at Purdue after joining the program as a three-star recruit, ranked No. 988 nationally and 85th among safeties. Throughout his career, he accumulated 210 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 7 pass breakups, and 6 interceptions across 1,605 career snaps. The potential addition of Thieneman was viewed as a strong move for Ohio State, as he could have formed a powerful safety duo alongside Caleb Downs, especially with Lathan Ransom set to leave after the season. Many believed that a pairing of Downs and Thieneman would have made Ohio State’s safety tandem the best in the country.
However, Thieneman chose to join Oregon, a program already riding high as the only undefeated team in the nation and coming off a successful debut season in the Big Ten. Oregon’s head coach, Dan Lanning, is also making moves for the future, having secured four defensive backs in the 2025 recruiting class, all ranked among the top 50 nationally. This includes five-star recruits Trey McNutt and Na’eem Offord, both of whom flipped their commitments from Ohio State to Oregon on Signing Day, as well as four-star Dorian Brew.
While Ohio State missed out on Thieneman, the Buckeyes still have some promising options to fill the void left by Ransom’s departure. The coaching staff will be looking for continued development from defensive backs like Malik Hartford, Jaylen McClain, Jayden Bonsu, and Leroy Roker. Additionally, Ohio State still has former South Carolina safety Keenan Nelson Jr. on its roster, providing another potential asset for the secondary.
In the broader picture, Ohio State’s 2024 season remains strong, with the Buckeyes making a mark in the College Football Playoff rankings. Of the six Ohio State teams that have made the postseason in the past decade, all of them ranked in the top 40, with the 2014 national championship team coming in at No. 9. As Ohio State prepares for its upcoming playoff game, the team will be aiming to add to its storied legacy, while continuing to strengthen its roster for the future.