There is something unusual about college football when a team has to prepare to face one of its own former players.
For Ohio State, that will be the case several times during the 2026 season. The Buckeyes have become one of the biggest destinations in college football, and with the transfer portal continuing to reshape rosters every offseason, players who once wore the scarlet and gray can quickly find themselves on the other sideline.
Ohio State will have several familiar faces waiting for it this season, including one player whose family connection to the Buckeyes makes his matchup especially interesting.
Here are five former Ohio State players who could see their former team during the 2026 season.
The most unusual reunion will come right away.
Ohio State opens the 2026 season at home against Ball State on Sept. 5, and former Buckeye defensive back Dianté Griffin is now a member of the Cardinals.
Griffin spent four seasons at Ohio State after joining the program as a walk-on in 2022. He did not see game action during Ohio State’s national championship season, but he remained part of the program before entering the transfer portal following the 2025 season.
His move to Ball State gives him an opportunity to play in a scholarship role during his final season of eligibility.
But Griffin’s story goes far beyond football.
He is the grandson of Ohio State legend Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner in college football history. Dianté is also part of a remarkable family connection to Ohio State, with several members of the Griffin family having played for the Buckeyes. Ball State lists him as a graduate transfer with one season of eligibility remaining.
That makes the season opener a true family affair. Archie Griffin has already made it clear that he wants his grandson to play well, but he will still be rooting for Ohio State to win.
For Dianté, returning to Ohio Stadium in a different uniform should be one of the more memorable moments of his college career.
Ohio State’s trip to Texas on Sept. 12 will be one of the biggest games on the schedule, and the Buckeyes will see a familiar face in the Longhorns’ defensive line.
Hero Kanu transferred from Ohio State to Texas after the 2024 national championship season. During his three seasons in Columbus, Kanu appeared in 29 games and recorded 14 tackles, one sack and one tackle for loss.
Now a senior at Texas, Kanu gets the chance to line up against the program where he began his college career.
The matchup should add another layer to an already highly anticipated game. Ohio State and Texas are expected to be among the nation’s top teams, and the contest in Austin will feature plenty of elite talent on both sides.
For Kanu, though, the game will have a personal element. He knows Ohio State’s system, has practiced against many of the players who remain in Columbus and understands the expectations surrounding the Buckeyes.
Ohio State’s trip to Iowa will also feature a former Buckeye.
Safety Cody Haddad joined Ohio State as part of the 2025 recruiting class after playing high school football in Cleveland. A three-star prospect, Haddad did not appear in a game for the Buckeyes during his time in Columbus.
He eventually transferred to Iowa, where he will have the opportunity to continue his college career.
While Haddad may not have played a major role at Ohio State, facing his former program will still be a significant moment. Transfer players often leave in search of more playing time and a better opportunity to contribute, and Iowa provides Haddad with that chance.
Aaron Scott Jr. may be the most recognizable former Buckeye on this list.
Scott arrived at Ohio State as a five-star cornerback and one of the top players in the 2024 recruiting class. He appeared in 12 games for the Buckeyes last season, finishing with nine tackles and one tackle for loss.
Despite his high recruiting pedigree, Scott entered the transfer portal and ultimately landed at Oregon.
That makes Ohio State’s matchup with the Ducks particularly interesting. Oregon is already expected to be one of the Big Ten’s strongest teams, and Scott will have a chance to face many of his former teammates.
For Ohio State, the challenge will be dealing with a cornerback who already knows the team’s tendencies, terminology and personnel.
Scott’s familiarity with the Buckeyes could make him an intriguing player to watch when these teams meet.
The fifth former Buckeye Ohio State will see is Northwestern defensive end Dominic Kirks.
Kirks was a highly regarded four-star edge prospect when he arrived at Ohio State. However, his playing time in Columbus was limited. He appeared in six games over two seasons and recorded two tackles.
After the 2025 season, Kirks entered the transfer portal and moved on to Northwestern.
His opportunity with the Wildcats will be much different. Rather than competing for occasional snaps at Ohio State, Kirks will be looking to establish himself as an important part of Northwestern’s defense.
When Northwestern faces Ohio State, Kirks will get the chance to show his former program what he can do in a bigger role.
The five former Buckeyes provide another interesting storyline for what already looks like a challenging 2026 schedule.
Ohio State will open against Ball State before traveling to Texas, and the Buckeyes will later face Iowa, Oregon and Northwestern. Those games will feature different circumstances for each former player, but the common thread is the same: they once practiced, studied and competed in the same program they will now be trying to beat.
The transfer portal has made these reunions increasingly common in college football. Players can move from one major program to another in search of playing time, a better fit or a fresh start. For Ohio State, that means the Buckeyes have to prepare not only for opposing teams but also for players who already understand what it means to play in Columbus.
The most emotional reunion could belong to Dianté Griffin. His return to Ohio Stadium will put him on the opposite sideline from the school he spent four years representing — and from his grandfather, one of the most important figures in Ohio State football history.
Still, once the ball is kicked off, sentiment will have to take a back seat.
For Griffin, Kanu, Haddad, Scott and Kirks, the goal will be to help their new teams win. For Ohio State, the mission is simple: take care of business regardless of who is standing across the field.
That’s what makes this year’s schedule so intriguing.
For at least five games, the Buckeyes will be facing players who know exactly what it means to be a Buckeye.
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