Ohio State still has a lot to sort out before camp opens, and that’s what makes the first week of the season feel a little less settled than usual. The Buckeyes bring back nine all-conference players, but they also have to replace 10 starters who either graduated or moved on to the NFL. That leaves plenty of room for former blue-chip recruits and transfer additions to push for jobs once preseason work begins.
At quarterback, Sayin is the clear name to watch. The Heisman runner-up from last season is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he finished top-10 in yards, completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdowns, and passer rating. He enters camp as the projected starter against Ball State.
The backfield looks set up around Jackson, who became only the 5th running back in school history to rush for 1,000 yards as a freshman. He heads into the season as one of the premier backs in college football, while Isaiah West is another player to keep an eye on after a productive freshman year of his own. West is expected to compete for split carries with Jackson.
At receiver, Smith is back for his third year in scarlet and grey and comes in as a Heisman hopeful. Innis also returns to the lineup after a quieter 2025 season, though he still came through in key moments, including a touchdown against Michigan before halftime that helped push Ohio State ahead 8. He is likely to rotate in the slot with transfers Devin McCuin and Kyle Palmer.
Henry Jr. should line up on the outside with Smith and give Ohio State a dangerous pairing at receiver. The true freshman stood out in the spring game, leading the team in receiving yards and finding the end zone.
Roberts is expected to handle the most snaps in a position group that figures to be used in a platoon, with Hunter Welcing and Mason Williams also in the mix. That spot should take a step forward under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Up front, Ohio State’s offensive line projects as one of the more stable units on the roster. Four of the five projected starters return and all four earned All-Big Ten recognition last season.
The expected group from left tackle to right tackle is Ian Moore, Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, Austin Siereveld, and Phillip Daniels. Moore is the newcomer, but he has already drawn praise as someone who can contribute right away.
On defense, Jackson Jr. is one of the biggest returning pieces after posting 6.5 sacks last season. He is expected to make another jump, and Ohio State will have a real camp battle for the spot next to him. Russaw transferred in from Alabama and is projected to be an immediate contributor, while Zion Grady and Beau Atkinson are also expected to rotate and challenge for that other starting job.
Houston is back after dealing with injuries last season, and Ohio State expects him to be a force on the defensive line. He finished the Buckeyes’ quarterfinal CFP loss to Miami with 5 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Smith, another transfer from Alabama, is also looking to take a step forward in Matt Patricia’s defense after recording 16 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season. Will Smith Jr. and UCF transfer John Walker are expected to compete with him in what should remain a rotational spot.
At linebacker, Pierce returns after making the most of limited snaps last season, including a forced fumble against Miami. Alliegro comes over from Wisconsin after piling up 120 tackles and 8 sacks in three years. Riley Pettijohn and Tarvos Alford are also worth watching after strong springs, and both could push for playing time once camp gets rolling.
The secondary brings back one of Ohio State’s strongest position groups. Matthews and Sanchez are projected to form one of the country’s best cornerback tandems, with Matthews coming off All-Big Ten honors and Sanchez emerging as a strong rotational piece last season before a spring that pointed to a bigger role. McClain also returns after shining alongside first-round pick Caleb Downs next season and is expected to take another step.
The Buckeyes also added two major transfers in the defensive backfield. Moore and Little Jr. were among Patricia’s top portal pickups, with Moore expected to take over Downs’ spot from last year and Little Jr. projected to work as a nickel back.
In Other News...
Matt Patricia Immediately Changed The Standard For Ohio State's Defense
When Matt Patricia arrived as Ohio States defensive coordinator last year, he wasted little time changing the standard in the room. His first challenge to the Buckeyes was as much about accountability as scheme, pushing players to evaluate themselves and each other and setting a tone that made every rep feel like it mattered. For a defense full of high-end talent, it was a blunt reminder that production alone would not be enough.
Caleb Downs said that approach helped him grow into a more complete player, one who was asked to handle multiple safety responsibilities and think like a pro. The experience gave him a taste of NFL-level demands while he was still in Columbus, and it is part of why Patricias impact has resonated beyond one season. The bigger question now is how much of that standard Ohio State can keep carrying forward without the player who benefited most from it. [Read more 🡒]
Arthur Smith May Finally Force Ohio State To Use Every Weapon
Arthur Smiths first offseason as Ohio States play-caller has the Buckeyes talking about more than just who gets the ball. The bigger shift could be how the offense operates, with Smith describing a plan that can speed up when the moment calls for it and slow down when it needs to, a change that should open more chances for skill players all over the field. For a roster built on depth and speed, that kind of flexibility could make the offense harder to defend and easier to spread around.
It also puts a spotlight on Julian Sayin, who may need to become more comfortable using his feet if the Buckeyes are going to take full advantage of a quicker pace. A faster, more varied attack would help the running back room and keep more receivers involved, not just the biggest names, which is why Bucknuts Dave Biddle sees this as the kind of adjustment that could finally push Ohio State toward using every weapon it has. [Read more 🡒]
Former Buckeye CJ Stroud Suddenly Faces Real Pressure In Houston
CJ Stroud arrived in Houston with the kind of buzz that usually buys a young quarterback some patience, and for a while he looked like the Texans had found exactly what they needed. He has already helped steer them to the playoffs three times in his first three seasons, with three postseason wins to show for it, but the ceiling has not moved much beyond that. The production has trended the wrong way, injuries have been part of the picture, and the former Buckeye is now heading into his fourth season with Houston still waiting on a contract extension.
That combination is why Stroud is suddenly being talked about in a different way than he was when he first took over. He is no longer just the franchise centerpiece and one of the leagues rising names, but a quarterback under real pressure to prove the trajectory can still turn upward. For a player who entered the NFL with so much momentum, the next step matters as much as anything he has already done. [Read more 🡒]