Ohio State Imports Intensity Through Transfer Portal

Veteran Alabama transfers James Smith and Earl Little Jr. share how the Buckeyes' demanding culture is pushing them to new heights.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:51am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting an intense Ohio State football practice, with players in motion broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the team's signature scarlet and gray colors, conveying the program's high-intensity culture.Ohio State's demanding culture of relentless, intentional competition is reshaping the game of its transfer standouts.Columbus Today

Defensive tackle James Smith and safety Earl Little Jr. have joined Ohio State's football program as high-profile transfers from Alabama. The two players describe the Buckeyes' intense, consistent practice tempo and relentless competitive culture as a significant shift from their previous experience, signaling Ohio State's strategy of using the transfer portal to import elite talent and refine its championship-caliber environment.

Why it matters

Ohio State's approach of leveraging the transfer portal to bring in experienced players like Smith and Little represents a broader trend in college football, where elite programs are actively seeking to exchange and refine their competitive culture as a strategic asset. The Buckeyes' ability to absorb, adapt and refine methods from other championship programs without losing their own institutional identity could be a key differentiator in their pursuit of a national title.

The details

Smith notes that the Big Ten's practice tempo feels more consistent and purposeful compared to the 'power and speed' stereotype of the SEC. Little describes Ohio State's culture as one where 'competition is woven into the fabric of the program,' with every rep and every day being 'intentional.' The contrast between Smith's more stable experience and Little's 'fireball' identity illustrates how the Buckeyes are blending different personal styles into their shared high-intensity approach.

  • James Smith and Earl Little Jr. transferred to Ohio State in 2026.

The players

James Smith

A defensive tackle who transferred to Ohio State from Alabama in 2026.

Earl Little Jr.

A safety who transferred to Ohio State from Alabama in 2026.

Woody Hayes Athletic Center

The training facility of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team.

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What they’re saying

“The Big Ten's speed feels more consistent—less a broadcast-ready stereotype of power and more a real-time cadence where every drill has speed, every rep has purpose.”

— James Smith, Defensive Tackle

“Every rep, every day, everything intentional—that's the culture here. Competition is woven into the fabric of the program.”

— Earl Little Jr., Safety

What’s next

The Buckeyes will look to translate their intense, consistent practice culture into on-field dominance as they chase a national championship in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Ohio State's strategy of using the transfer portal to import elite talent and refine its championship-caliber culture could be a key differentiator in the Buckeyes' pursuit of a national title. The ability to blend different personal styles into a shared high-intensity approach signals a broader trend in college football where elite programs are actively seeking to exchange and refine their competitive culture as a strategic asset.