Ohio State spent this offseason trying to fix the problem that kept biting it in the biggest moments: the line of scrimmage.
That’s where the Buckeyes’ two most improved position groups come into focus. On defense, the front got a major infusion of talent through the transfer portal. On offense, the backfield is set to look stronger simply because key young players are coming back healthy.
The defensive line is the clearest upgrade. Ohio State added four-star tackle John Walker from UCF, a massive interior presence who can clog the middle and absorb space. Then came another big swing: Qua Russaw and James Smith, the Alabama tandem who have been tied together throughout their football careers, followed them to Columbus and give the Buckeyes a much more formidable front.
That matters because Ohio State was not good enough in that area last season. In both of its losses, the Buckeyes got overwhelmed up front, and that was a major reason the team fell short of where it wanted to go.
Now the group that was once a weakness looks like a strength, and that should pay off both immediately and down the road.
The other position group that took a noticeable step forward is running back. Ohio State did not load the room with additions, aside from Legend Bey, but the real boost comes from getting healthier. Bo Jackson and Isaiah West both missed spring ball after offseason shoulder surgery, and both are expected back next year ready to go.
That gives the Buckeyes a backfield that should be in much better shape than it was before.
Ohio State’s biggest offseason gains came where they needed them most: up front, on both sides of the ball.
In Other News...
Ohio State May Already Have Its Next Quarterback Pipeline Target
Ohio States quarterback room is already looking well stocked for the present, but the Buckeyes are also doing the kind of long-range work that can shape a future depth chart years in advance. One name that fits that profile is Christopher Vargas, a 2028 quarterback prospect who recently made the trip to campus and came away with an offer from Ohio State, a clear sign that the staff likes where this one could go.
Vargas is still early in his high school career, but the Buckeyes have seen enough to stay involved as his profile rises. He has already shown production as a first-year starter at St. Johns Prep School, and his background as a multi-sport athlete only adds to the appeal. The next question for Ohio State is whether the program can keep building on that early connection as the quarterback chase starts to take shape around him. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Just Sent A Clear Message In The Portal Debate
Ryan Day has spent the offseason making it clear that Ohio State is not standing still, reshaping the staff around both present-day urgency and the changing realities of roster building. After bringing in Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator and keeping Matt Patricia in place as defensive coordinator, the Buckeyes have now added another layer to the operation with a new college scout whose job will center on evaluating talent as the program keeps adapting to the Transfer Portal era.
The move is notable not just for what it adds, but for when it arrives, with practice closing in and roster decisions still very much in motion. Andy Howells arrival gives Ohio State another evaluator in a process that has become as important as high school recruiting, and his work is expected to matter most next offseason as the Buckeyes continue shaping how they build around portal players. [Read more 🡒]
Jamier Brown Finally Opened Up About His Unusual High School Move
Jamier Browns move from Huber Heights Wayne to Big Walnut has drawn plenty of attention, and the five-star receiver finally shed some light on why he made the switch. The Class of 2027 standout has already been one of the most watched names in Ohio football, and his decision came after he made clear he wanted to be closer to the college he has already committed to in Columbus. It is an unusual step for a high school player, but Brown has never been shy about thinking beyond the usual boundaries of prep football.
Browns profile has grown even bigger because of his outspoken push for legal NIL compensation for Ohio high school athletes, a cause he helped elevate as the OHSAA weighed an emergency referendum. With legislative opposition still lingering for now, the debate around whether middle and high school athletes should be able to earn money remains unsettled, even if early signs point toward support ultimately winning out. For Brown, the transfer and the NIL fight both speak to the same bigger picture: a high school star trying to shape his path before he ever gets to Ohio State. [Read more 🡒]