Ohio State’s offense is going to revolve around Jeremiah Smith again this fall, and that’s no mystery. The Heisman contender and star junior wideout is the headliner, the matchup problem, the name defenses will circle before every game.
But Julian Sayin’s second season as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback could get a lot easier if a few other pieces keep growing around him.
Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will have options beyond Smith, and that matters. It gives Sayin more ways to avoid forcing throws into traffic and more chances to spread the field without leaning on one target every snap. Three names stand out as potential beneficiaries: Brandon Inniss, Chris Henry Jr., and Bo Jackson.
Inniss is the most established of the group. He played in every game last season, found the end zone three times, and averaged seven-and-a-half yards per catch. Ohio State kept him from its top-heavy Cotton Bowl CFP team, and with more volume he has a real chance to build on the promise he flashed in 2024 during the Buckeyes’ national title-winning season.
Henry Jr. is the wild card with the loudest upside. He looked like a beast in spring camp and has already started earning praise from teammates as a big-play threat. If those viral practice clips mean anything, he could become a trusted outlet for Sayin sooner rather than later.
Then there’s Bo Jackson, who gives Ohio State a different kind of weapon. He’s not the other Bo Jackson, but he’s already shown he can grind out tough yards.
Last season, he went over 1,000 rushing yards, scored six times on the ground and added a receiving touchdown. He also played in every game, posting six 100-yard performances in wins over Grambling State, Ohio, Penn State, Rutgers, UCLA and Michigan.
The only real dip came in Ohio State’s two late losses, when Jackson was held to 83 yards against Indiana and 55 against Miami.
So yes, opponents will keep trying to load up on Jeremiah Smith. That part isn’t changing. But if the Buckeyes’ other pieces keep developing, teams could pay for it every week.
In Other News...
Ohio State Is Suddenly Building Something Big In The 2028 Class
Ohio States 2028 recruiting board is starting to take on a familiar shape, and it begins with wide receiver Jett Harrison already in the fold. The Buckeyes have not stopped there, either, as they continue to work on other highly regarded pass-catchers, including Carson LaCombe, who earned an offer after his visit to campus.
The bigger picture is just as intriguing because the staff is also pressing ahead on quarterback Christopher Vargas, another top 2028 name who has already been to Columbus. With Harrison committed and more elite skill talent still on the radar, Ohio State is laying early groundwork for a class that could become something substantial if the momentum keeps building. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Has One Lingering Problem That Could Derail 2026
Ohio States special teams has been a lingering concern for a while now, and the numbers have not exactly offered much comfort. Even during the Buckeyes national championship run in 2024, the unit ranked around 82nd in efficiency, then slipped again in 2025, leaving a part of the roster that should provide hidden value instead feeling like a weekly source of unease.
The problems have shown up in the most avoidable ways, from missed field goals to shaky punt-return work and too many self-inflicted errors. With a demanding 2026 schedule looming, Ohio State does not need special teams to be flashy, just steady, clean and dependable enough to stop handing away field position and momentum. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Suddenly Has A New QB Pipeline Question
Ohio States quarterback room has hardly ever been the issue under Ryan Day, but the recruiting pipeline is suddenly worth watching again. Brady Edmunds remains committed to the Buckeyes 2027 class for now, yet there is real movement around his future, and that has put a little extra pressure on Ohio State to keep the position stocked the way it usually does.
Day is already working on the next wave, and Christopher Vargas has emerged as the name to know in the 2028 class. The five-star has visited Columbus multiple times and seems to have a strong feel for the program, which is why Ohio State is in a promising spot, even if nothing is locked in yet. For a staff that likes to stay ahead of the curve at quarterback, this is one of those recruitments that could shape the depth chart well beyond the current era. [Read more 🡒]