Former Purdue safety Dillon Thieneman, the No. 1 safety in the portal according to 247Sports, is planning to visit Ohio State in the next week, his brother Jake Thieneman told On3’s Steve Wiltfong on Tuesday.

Thieneman also plans to visit Oregon and is considering interest from other top programs including Georgia, LSU, Penn State and Texas.

“It feels like every major program in the country has reached out,” Jake Thieneman told On3.

Thieneman became an immediate star in Purdue’s secondary in 2023, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year and third-team AP All-American honors as he recorded 106 total tackles, six interceptions, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups as a true freshman. He followed that up with another productive season as a sophomore, recording 104 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack and seven pass breakups along with nine punt returns for 67 yards.

While Ohio State has multiple candidates already on its roster to compete to replace Lathan Ransom next season in Jaylen McClain and Malik Hartford, Thieneman’s proven ability to be an elite safety in the Big Ten gives the Buckeyes good reason to push for his commitment. Should Thieneman transfer to Ohio State, he would pair with Caleb Downs – who will also be a junior next season – to form the nation’s top safety tandem going into 2025.