Ohio State’s offseason has been defined by change, and now the Buckeyes are finally ready to find out what all that work looks like on a Saturday afternoon.
After a 2025 finish that included back-to-back losses to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game and Miami in the College Football Playoff, Ryan Day and his staff spent the months that followed reshaping the program. Brian Hartline’s departure to become head coach at South Florida triggered a staff shuffle that brought in Cortez Hankton from LSU to coach wide receivers and Arthur Smith from the Pittsburgh Steelers to run the offense. Matt Patricia was already in place on defense, giving Ohio State two former NFL head coaches as coordinators.
The roster also went through a major overhaul. Between the transfer portal, players heading to the NFL Draft, high school additions and walk-ons, the Buckeyes added 51 new players to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center this offseason.
All of that was just the setup. The real work has come through winter workouts, spring practice, summer OTAs and fall camp, with Ohio State pushing to get back to the top after winning the national championship two years ago, coming close to a first Big Ten title since 2020 and reaching the Playoff again before falling short.
Now the next step arrives Saturday, when Ball State comes to Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State enters the opener with plenty of experience on offense, losing only four starters from last season. Julian Sayin is back at quarterback, Bo Jackson returns at running back, Jeremiah Smith is set to lead the receivers, and four of five offensive linemen are back in place.
On the other side, the defense brings back just four starters, including Kenyatta Jackson Jr. at defensive end, Jermaine Mathews Jr. at cornerback and Jaylen McClain at safety. Even so, the Buckeyes have added a wave of talent that will get its first look in the Horseshoe on Saturday.
Ahead of the opener, Day appeared on his first weekly radio show of the season Thursday with Jim Lachey and Paul Keels on 97.1 The Fan to talk through the work that has gone into getting this team ready.
In Other News...
Ohio State Unveiled A New Horseshoe Look Fans Will Notice Fast
Ohio States familiar home field is getting a noticeable refresh before the 2026 season opener, with Buckeye Stripes now added to the end zones at Ohio Stadium. The update gives the Horseshoe a sharper look while keeping the setting rooted in the programs identity, a cosmetic change that fans should spot immediately once the new season gets underway.
The bigger adjustment, though, is underfoot. The program also installed new turf built to NFL standards, a move that has drawn positive feedback from players and coaches while giving Ohio State more flexibility with branding around the stadium. It is also expected to hold up better for other major events, including concerts, which makes the upgrade feel like more than just a football decision. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Could Make A Rare Freshman Secondary Move Saturday
Ohio States secondary picture has started to shift in a way that usually does not happen this early for a true freshman. Jay Timmons, the five-star recruit and Florida State transfer, has drawn steady praise through spring and fall practices for the way he approaches the position, competes, and shows up around the football. For a program that expects that back end to be a strength, his rapid rise has become one of the more interesting developments of camp.
The buzz around Timmons is not just about talent, either. Coaches and teammates have pointed to his mindset, tenacity, and playmaking ability, and that combination has pushed Ohio State to take a fresh look at how the starting secondary could come together for the season ahead. If the Buckeyes decide to go in that direction, it would be a notable early step for a newcomer who has already made the room rethink what the depth chart might look like. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Offense Leaves Camp With Two Storylines Fans Will Track
Ohio State has wrapped up preseason work for the 2026 season with the opener against Ball State now in view, and the Buckeyes leave camp with a couple of offensive storylines worth monitoring. The most immediate one is up front, where Ian Moore emerged through fall camp as the first-team left tackle after a strong stretch of development and performance.
The other centers on the backfield, where Legend Bey flashed the kind of playmaking that can catch attention in August. His talent was evident during camp, but his role is still something to watch as he continues adjusting to the college game, which means the Buckeyes could spend the early part of the season sorting out how and when to use him. [Read more 🡒]