Ohio State is counting on its veterans to carry a lot of the load this season, but a few true freshmen are already pushing for real roles before the games even start.
One of the names to know is Henry, the top player in Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class. 247Sports had him ranked as the No. 2 receiver and the 24th overall player, which is why Buckeyes fans are already hearing the Jeremiah Smith comparisons.
Smith was outstanding as a true freshman in 2024, and Henry is expected to draw similar buzz. He is a great player, but Smith is exceptional.
Ohio State could still find ways to use Henry this season, much like it did with Garrett Wilson as a true freshman in 2019.
Timmons is another freshman who has started to turn heads. Heading into fall camp, it didn’t seem likely he would be in position to help right away, but the first two days of practice changed that impression.
On Friday, he worked with the first-team defense at nickel corner. 247Sports ranked him as the fifth-best cornerback in the 2026 class, and the 5-foot-11 defender arrived in Columbus after flipping from Florida State last November.
Bey’s path has been far less straightforward. He originally signed with Tennessee in December, though there were signs he was uneasy about that decision. Family considerations were part of why he ultimately signed with the Volunteers, but Tennessee later released him from that signing and he made his way to Ohio State.
His time in Columbus has already included some bumps. When he got to campus in the spring, the coaches took away his No. 2 jersey and gave him No. 44 for disciplinary reasons.
Then an injury during spring ball kept him out of the spring game. He also was not present for Thursday’s opening fall camp practice or Friday’s session after violating team rules.
Even with those issues, Bey remains one of the most gifted athletes on the roster. Ohio State lists him as a running back, but the plan is likely to get him touches in different ways across the field if he can clean things up off it.
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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 🡒]