As Ohio State heads toward the Iowa game, two more young defenders have taken a meaningful step in their Buckeye careers. Five-star linebacker Cincere Johnson and safety Deshawn Stewart both shed their black stripes, joining the list of players officially settling into the program.
Johnson arrives with serious pedigree. He was rated the second-best linebacker recruit in the country in the 2026 class, and while the spots in front of him are crowded right now, his future in Columbus looks obvious.
Riley Petijohn, Payton Pierce, and Christian Alliegro have those linebacker roles locked down at the moment, but Johnson’s blend of size and movement gives him a chance to matter down the road. At 6'3 and 237, he can cover ground fast, and next season could put him in the mix for a starting job or at least a rotational role.
Stewart’s path looks different. The sophomore, a three-star recruit out of New Jersey, has had a much quieter climb.
His opportunity to carve out real defensive snaps has been limited, and that may not change dramatically soon. Still, special teams could be his opening.
If he makes his mark there, he could get the attention of the coaching staff and push himself into the safety conversation. For him, effort may be the ticket to more playing time.
Johnson and Stewart are part of a broader group of Buckeyes still trying to win over the staff. Legend Bey appears to have fallen out of favor and is now in the doghouse midway through the season. Khary Wilder has flashed whenever he has been on the field, but the coaches have not committed to giving him regular snaps, even though he looks like the defensive lineman most capable of bringing steady pressure.
Ohio State still has other young players making noise, too. Jay Timmons is a true freshman who already looks like a stud, though he might not play this weekend against Iowa. The Buckeyes also need some wide receivers to take a step.
And with the Iowa game looming, the bigger picture is clear. This weekend will go a long way in shaping Ohio State’s place in the College Football Playoff race.
A loss would leave no margin for error if the Buckeyes want to keep chasing a national championship. A win would keep them right where they want to be, among the best teams in the country.
In Other News...
Julian Sayin Sends Ohio State Offense A Clear Warning Before Iowa
Julian Sayin left the Illinois game sounding more like a quarterback settling into the bigger picture than one looking for a quick victory lap. He pointed to the offense's steady progress, the value of keeping drives alive with his legs, and the growing comfort level around him as young receivers continue to take on larger roles. Jeremiah Smith has been a central part of that mix, and Sayin also credited the veteran offensive linemen for helping stabilize things up front as the Buckeyes keep building.
The next test comes with another road trip, and Sayin made it clear those spots demand sharper execution and a little more maturity from everyone involved. Iowa is the kind of place where the margin for error can shrink fast, and Ohio State's quarterback knows the offense cannot treat this as a finished product. The message from Sayin was simple enough: the Buckeyes have come a long way, but the real work is still ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Still Has One Passing Game Issue Jeremiah Smith Cant Solve
Jeremiah Smith has been everything Ohio State could have hoped for in the passing game, and then some. The offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, pointed to the wideouts exceptional production, with Jeremiah Smith leading the nation in receiving yards and touchdowns, while the Buckeyes continue to lean on him as the centerpiece of the aerial attack.
Still, the passing game has one lingering question beyond its star. Ohio State is trying to establish a reliable second option, with Devin McCuin currently sitting as the teams second-leading receiver, and coaches and players have kept stressing that the offense will need more than one target to keep evolving. The message from inside the program is clear enough: the Buckeyes are pleased with the production they have, but they also know the next layer of consistency has to come from somewhere else. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Has One Huge Chance To Make A National Statement
Ohio State heads into a rare early measuring-stick game with a chance to leave no doubt about where it stands nationally. The Buckeyes have looked sharp enough to build real momentum, and the next step comes in a difficult road setting where every possession matters and every explosive play carries extra weight.
Jeremiah Smith remains one of the biggest reasons this game has taken on added intrigue, even beyond the team stakes around him. With the matchup set against unbeaten Iowa and its stingy defense at Kinnick Stadium, Ohio State will also be watching how Julian Sayin handles the moment and whether the defense can create the kind of turnovers that turn a good win into something louder. [Read more 🡒]