The Bobcats lose two key components of the defense a week before their annual spring game.
The reigning MAC champions already faced an uphill battle this offseason in terms of personnel turnover.
Less than 24 hours after winning their first MAC championship since 1968, the Ohio Bobcats lost head coach Tim Albin to Charlotte, and eventually, a slew of assistants to Charlotte.
Player retention is never easy amidst a coaching staff overhaul, and one week before the April 19 spring game, Ohio is losing two projected defensive starters for 2025. Middle linebacker Shay Taylor and defensive end Kadin Schmitz both entered the transfer portal Friday, announcing their decisions within an hour of each other.
Thank you Ohio pic.twitter.com/gPzI4FxuCN
— Shay Taylor (@Shay_Taylor5) April 11, 2025
I will enter my name into the transfer portal on the 16th. Thank you Ohio pic.twitter.com/2jqeqiyDPD
— Kadin Schmitz (@KadinSchmitz) April 11, 2025
Taylor operated as the starting MIKE linebacker for the Bobcats in 2024. Taylor first onboarded in 2021 in year one of the Albin era and watched his production spike exponentially last season when thrust into a starting spot. He ranked third on the unit with 72 tackles and second among all Bobcats with 10 tackles for loss. Taylor additionally forced two fumbles, recovered one, and produced Ohio’s only pick-six of the season in a 47-16 rout of Buffalo. He enters the portal with one year of eligibility left.
Schmitz arrived to the program in 2023. The defensive end served as the backup to Ben McNaboe, who saw his eligibility expire at the end of the 2024 campaign. Schmitz was still a recurring piece of the defense, totaling 33 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks for a stellar Ohio defense. After suiting up in green and white for two seasons, Schmitz seeks a new home with two years of eligibility remaining.
Although neither Taylor nor Schmitz has announced their landing spot yet, it is notable that Charlotte employs Albin on staff, as well as former Ohio co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Nate Faanes. Charlotte has already claimed two Ohio transfer linebackers this offseason, and the 49ers remain a likely destination for any Ohio transfer.
Unless Taylor and Schmitz withdraw from the portal, the Bobcats must replace two projected starters for 2025 just one week before the spring game. Ohio dealt with massive defensive overhaul last offseason from both a coach and player perspective, yet the Bobcats finished 12th in scoring defense, 9th in total defense, and 4th in rushing defense during a successful 11-3 season.