A month out from kickoff, Ohio State looks loaded again, and that’s exactly why the Buckeyes sit at No. 1 in the preseason coaches poll ahead of Oregon and Georgia. The roster has plenty of talent across the board, but a few key battles will shape how far this team can go.
Start at receiver, where the headliners are obvious. Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss give Ohio State a dangerous top two, with Smith standing out as the centerpiece - a superstar junior and Heisman contender - and Inniss bringing the presence of an experienced senior who is widely viewed as the leader of the team.
But there’s also real intrigue behind them. Five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr. arrives with an NFL-build, explosive athleticism and freakish speed, and at 6’5”, he still brings quickness and agility that let him accelerate effectively after the catch.
Add in transfers Kyle Parker from LSU and Devin McCuin from UT-San Antonio, and the Buckeyes have more playmakers than just the familiar names. Parker is known for his burst after the catch, versatility in open space and world-class acceleration, while McCuin has a knack for turning modest plays into big gains and is regarded as one of the most reliable hands in college football.
Even with Carnell Tate gone, Ohio State looks secure at the position.
Quarterback is usually a comfortable spot in Columbus, and this year may be the deepest version of that formula yet. Julian Sayin comes in as one of the nation’s top returning quarterbacks after a strong first season as a starter.
He was the country’s most accurate passer, showing the poise, anticipation and decision-making that made him such a coveted recruit. Still, the year ended with rough outings in losses to Indiana and Miami, and those games left questions about whether he can lift the offense when the competition gets elite.
Another offseason in the system should keep him in the All-America mix and put him in the Heisman conversation.
What really changes the outlook in this room is what sits behind him. Five-star sophomore Tavien St.
Clair gives Ohio State an unusual luxury: an elite backup with the kind of upside that could keep the offense humming if he ever has to step in. Between Sayin’s proven production and St.
Clair’s ceiling, the Buckeyes may have one of the strongest quarterback rooms in the country.
Up front, the offensive line brings back plenty of experience, with four returnees from last season, including all-Big Ten selections Austin Siereveld and Luke Montgomery. There are still moving parts to sort out.
Siereveld is likely headed to guard, while Ian Moore and Carter Lowe are battling for the other starting job. They should line up alongside Siereveld, Montgomery, and returning starters Carson Hinzman and Phillip Daniels.
If that group clicks and powers a high-octane running game, Ohio State has the pieces to be one of the most dangerous teams in college football again. The real question is whether the line can handle the pressure.
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Joel Klatt Sees One Thing Holding Back Ohio State's 2026 Offense
Julian Sayin enters 2026 with a lot of attention on him, and not just because he is projected as one of the top quarterbacks in the country. FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt has him ranked No. 10 nationally and sees plenty to like in the Buckeyes setup, especially with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith now in place and a fresh cast of weapons around him, including transfer receiver Kyle Parker.
Klatt also sees a clear area where Ohio State can unlock more from the offense, arguing that Sayin has to play more aggressively when opportunities open downfield. He pointed to the way Sayin handles shorter situations, along with the way his mobility can shape those moments, as something the Buckeyes will need to account for if they want the offense to reach its ceiling. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Faces One Late Trap Game Ohio State Fans Should Watch
Oregons path this fall looks like one built for a national title push, with Dan Lannings team carrying high expectations into the season. But Brad Crawford of CBS Sports pointed to a late November road trip to Michigan State as the kind of game that can quietly complicate a contenders schedule, especially when the Ducks are trying to stay clean in the stretch run.
The matchup is set for Nov. 20 in East Lansing, and the concern is less about Oregons overall ceiling than about the kind of letdown spot that can sneak up on a team with bigger goals ahead. Michigan State, coached by Pat Fitzgerald, is viewed as capable of springing an upset even in a season where the Spartans are expected to struggle, which is exactly the sort of late trap game Ohio State fans will want to keep an eye on. [Read more 🡒]
Will Howard Is Already Giving Ohio State Fans Another Reason To Smile
Will Howard is already making the kind of impression that follows a quarterback from college into the pros. After his time at Ohio State, where he was praised for his work ethic and leadership, Howard has shown up in Pittsburgh as part of the Steelers backup quarterback battle following Aaron Rodgers retirement, and the early reaction around camp has been hard to miss.
Steelers fans made their preference loud with chants of We Want Will! even with Drew Allars local college ties in the mix. Howard still has to prove he can translate the traits that made him stand out in Columbus to the NFL level, but the support he has already drawn suggests Ohio State followers have another former Buckeye worth tracking closely. [Read more 🡒]