Arthur Smith is stepping into a pressure cooker in Columbus-but he's also walking into a kitchen stocked with five-star ingredients.
The former Atlanta Falcons head coach and most recently the Steelers’ offensive coordinator during the Russell Wilson-Justin Fields-Aaron Rodgers carousel, Smith now takes over as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator. It’s a move that’s raised some eyebrows given his mixed results in the NFL, but there’s a real sense of optimism around what he could bring to the college game. And that optimism starts with quarterback Julian Sayin.
Sayin, entering his third year at Ohio State and second as a starter, was one of the most efficient passers in the country last season. He played his way into the Heisman conversation and turned Carnell Tate into a first-round NFL Draft pick.
Jeremiah Smith, now a junior, became one of the most talked-about receivers in college football. So the bar is already sky-high.
But the belief is that Smith's NFL background-and his emphasis on a physical, run-first approach-might actually unlock a new gear for this Buckeyes offense.
The plan? Keep it simple, keep it physical, and pick your spots to strike deep.
That’s the formula Smith is expected to bring to the table. Think calculated aggression-lean on the run, control the tempo, and let Sayin take his shots when the defense is on its heels.
And with Jeremiah Smith returning, plus the additions of five-star receivers Chris Henry Jr. and Jerquaden Guilford, the Buckeyes are still stacked out wide despite some portal losses.
The wide receiver room remains one of the deepest in the country. Devin McCuin and Brandon Innis are projected to start alongside Jeremiah Smith, giving Sayin a trio of dynamic targets. But the real key to unlocking this offense might be running back Bo Jackson.
If Ohio State’s going to lean into a run-heavy identity, Jackson has to be the engine. He showed flashes last season, but 2026 could be the year he goes from solid contributor to star.
With right guard Tegra Tshabola transferring to Kentucky, the offensive line will look familiar but not identical. And while Tshabola was often seen as the weak link, his departure still leaves a hole.
That’s why head coach Ryan Day has emphasized building depth and flexibility up front, aiming to develop at least eight linemen capable of rotating in and out. That kind of depth is crucial for the physical brand of football Smith wants to play.
If Jackson can become the kind of back who forces defenses to load the box, it opens everything up. Play-action becomes lethal.
Sayin gets cleaner pockets and more one-on-one matchups downfield. That’s the vision-an offense that controls the clock, wears teams down, and hits the big play when it matters.
It’s a shift in philosophy from what Brian Hartline was dialing up, but it might be exactly what this Buckeyes roster needs. Smith’s NFL tenure may have had its bumps, but college football is a different beast-especially when you’re coaching at a place like Ohio State, where the talent gap is often wide enough to mask schematic growing pains.
The pieces are there. Sayin is already a star, and the receiver room is loaded again. If Bo Jackson can have the kind of breakout year this offense needs-and if the line comes together the way Day envisions-Arthur Smith could turn this Buckeyes unit into one of the most balanced, dangerous attacks in the country.
And if all that clicks? Sayin might not just be a Heisman contender-he could be hoisting the trophy.