Arthur Smith is not wasting time defining the standard for Ohio State’s offense.
Ryan Day’s offseason hire has stepped into the Buckeyes’ program with a clear blueprint, and it starts with two things he says can’t be optional: winning up front and staying disciplined. Smith, who has been an offensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers and the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, laid out those priorities on 97.1 The Fan’s Beau Bishop on Friday.
“I would say my non-negotiables are our style of play, and it got to go up front," Smith said. "If you want to have the confetti come down on you, you're going to have to win through the bigs, and that's just not the run game or protection, but the style of play.”
Smith’s point was bigger than just blocking schemes or run-game numbers. For him, the offensive line shapes everything - how the Buckeyes run, how they protect, and how they want to play overall.
He also made clear that toughness alone is not enough if the details slip. The other pillar, he said, is discipline.
“Another thing would be the discipline. You know that's a thing: no matter where you're at, you can't have the self-inflicted wounds, and those are all the little things. You really look at what Indiana did; it was brilliant at the basics; it didn't beat itself.”
Ohio State already showed that kind of steadiness last season. According to SportsReference.com, the Buckeyes were flagged 58 times in 14 games.
That should matter again this year, especially with so much experience on offense. Julian Sayin is entering his second season as the starting quarterback.
There’s also a chance the entire starting offensive line is made up of upperclassmen. At receiver, Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss and Devin McCuin are all juniors or older.
The Buckeyes may have been able to survive sloppy stretches in previous seasons because they were better than most of the teams on the schedule. That margin doesn’t look so generous now.
Ohio State will still have some easier matchups, but it also has Oregon, Michigan, Iowa, USC, Indiana and Texas on the schedule. All six of those teams could be in the playoff conversation, which means the Buckeyes won’t have much room for errors. If Smith’s offense is going to hold up in those games, it has to be sharp, physical and clean.
In Other News...
Ohio States 2028 Recruiting Run Might Not Be Done Yet
Ohio States 2028 recruiting class is already shaping up as one of the earliest power statements in the cycle, with three five-star commits headlined by quarterback Christopher Vargas. Even with that kind of early momentum, the Buckeyes have not stopped pushing, and the class still has room to grow if the staff can keep building on the buzz it has created on the trail.
Two of the most intriguing names still watching closely are wide receiver Braylon Clark and defensive lineman Tyzon Swann, both of whom have drawn strong interest from Ohio State while also holding multiple offers from other programs. Their level of attention around the Buckeyes suggests the class could get even more impressive, but for now Ohio State is still in the waiting game as the next decisions loom. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Just Made A Huge Statement About Its QB Future
Ohio State added a major piece to its future on the recruiting trail with the commitment of Christopher Vargas, the No. 1-ranked quarterback in the 2028 class. Vargas picked the Buckeyes over Oregon, Virginia Tech and other schools, a significant win for a program that has long sold itself as one of the sports premier destinations for elite passers.
Vargas pointed to the coaching staff, the culture and the development opportunities under Ryan Day as the biggest factors in his decision, and that makes this more than just another early pledge. Day has built a strong reputation for grooming quarterbacks, with several of his former players going on to become first-round NFL draft picks, and landing a talent like Vargas only reinforces how powerful that pitch has become in Columbus. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Fall Camp Is Heating Up Behind Two Key Starters
Fall camp is starting to sort out a few of Ohio States early depth-chart questions as the Buckeyes turn toward their opener against Ball State. At running back, Isaiah West and Bo Jackson both entered camp after missing spring work because of shoulder injuries, and the early reps have been a good sign that both are back in the mix as the staff evaluates the room.
Wests offseason has given him a real foothold, while Jackson still has time to make up ground before the job is settled. The same kind of competition is playing out at receiver, where Jeremiah Smith looks lined up for the top spot and the battle for No. 2 is taking shape among Brandon Inniss, Chris Henry Jr. and transfer McCuin. [Read more 🡒]