Ohio State is heading into 2026 with the kind of roster churn that always seems to come with the territory in Columbus, and that leaves a couple of position groups carrying the biggest burden.
The Buckeyes are coming off a playoff run, but they also watched 11 players head to the NFL Draft, including several of the defensive standouts who helped make last year’s unit the best in the country. So while Ohio State is still expected to be elite on both sides, there are real questions about which groups will have to prove they can keep that standard intact.
On defense, the spotlight lands on linebacker.
That’s a tough place to replace production, because last year’s Ohio State linebackers put together two of the most impressive seasons ever and both were rewarded with Top-10 NFL draft selections. Now the question is who steps in and owns that room in 2026-27.
Riley Pettijohn and Payton Pierce are the names most likely to lead the way. Both got valuable game reps last season when Ohio State was rolling past opponents, and that experience matters.
They may not be household names yet, but that could change quickly. The comparison made on the podcast was Arvell Reese, who wasn’t widely known before last season either.
The offense has its own pressure points, and they’re not subtle. Ohio State’s attack left a chance at the National Championship on the table last year, so there’s plenty to clean up.
Julian Sayin has to be better. The offensive line has to be better.
But the position group with the most to prove is wide receiver.
Jeremiah Smith is not part of that conversation. He has nothing left to prove, and the source makes that clear: he is the best player in college football, and that isn’t up for debate. The real uncertainty starts behind him, where the Buckeyes still need answers at wide receiver two, three and four.
That competition includes Brandon Inniss, Kyle Parker, Devin McCuin, Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd. There’s talent in that mix, but someone has to separate from the pack and show he can claim the No. 2 job.
For a program with playoff expectations and National Championship ambitions, those are the groups that will have the most eyes on them next season.
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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
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Jamier Brown Finally Opened Up About His Unusual High School Move
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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 🡒]