Cody Croy
Writer
The new two-week transfer portal period has passed, and the Buckeyes made headlines. Many former Buckeyes from this past season found new homes, but Ryan Day and his staff were able to replace all that was lost. With that being said, let’s take a look at all this movement and what the depth chart could look like for the upcoming season.
Julian Sayin
Tavien St. Clair
Justyn Martin
Luke Fahey
Coming off a tough start against Miami, Julian Sayin will look to bounce back in his second season as the starting quarterback. Tavien St. Clair will look to back up Sayin in his second season with the program and could see some time in certain situations, much like transfer quarterback Lincoln Kienholz. The Buckeyes added former Maryland and UCLA quarterback Justyn Martin to replace Eli Brickhandler, who ran out of eligibility. Freshman Luke Fahey will round out the room.
Jeremiah Smith
Brandon Inniss
Devin McCuin
Kyle Parker
Chris Henry Jr.
Phillip Bell
Quay Guilford
Brock Boyd
De’Zie Jones
Jaeden Ricketts
A major shakeup came before the College Football Playoff, with the departure of Brian Hartline. Since then, former LSU and Georgia assistant Cortez Hankton has stepped into the role of wide receivers coach nicely. Hankton added two transfers in Kyle Parker and Devin McCuin. These additions come after losing Carnell Tate, Bryson Rodgers, Mylan Graham, Quincy Porter Jr., Bodpegn Miller, and Damarion Witten. McCuin, a former UTSA star, will be a great addition for Hankton and the offense. Known for his speed, he will look to compete for a starting role alongside Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss. Also competing for that third spot include Kyle Parker and Chris Henry Jr. Parker, an LSU transfer, followed his wide receivers coach after two seasons with LSU. Chris Henry Jr. could make some noise in his freshman season, but will likely start his career coming off the bench. Rounding out the bench will be Phillip Bell, Quay Guilford, Dez Jones, Brock Boyd, and Jaeden Ricketts.
Bo Jackson
Isaiah West
Ja’Kobi Jackson
Anthony Rodgers
Legend Bey
Favour Akih
Led by freshman phenom Bo Jackson, the running back room will look to return to form after an uncharacteristic down year in 2025. Isaiah West will look to make more of an impact following the departures of James Peoples, CJ Donaldson, and Sam Dixon. Transfer running back Ja’Kobi Jackson will compete with Anthony Rodgers for the first spot off the bench. Freshmen running backs Legend Bey and Favour Akih will round out the running back room.
Ian Moore
Austin Siereveld
Carter Lowe
Sam Greer
Max Riley
Landry Brede
Austin Siereveld has announced his decision to return for another season. Ian Moore, who will gear up for his third season with the program, will look to start at left tackle. Moore played limited snaps this past season but shined. Carter Lowe will come off the bench in his second season with the program. Freshmen Sam Greer, Max Riley, and Landry Brede will round out the group.
Luke Montgomery
Phillip Daniels
Gabe VanSickle
Deontae Armstrong
Tucker Smith
Mason Wilhelm
Led by Luke Montgomery and Austin Siereveld, this group of guards will give Julian Sayin the time he needs to make plays. The Buckeyes did not add any transfers on the offensive line, but VanSickle and Armstrong will look to return for the Buckeyes and make an impact if needed. Tucker Smith and Mason Wilhelm will round out the group.
The Buckeyes will retain every starter on the offensive line besides Tegra Tshabola, who entered the transfer portal. Offensive linemen joining him in the portal include Jayvon McFadden, Justin Terry, Devontae Armstrong, and Isaiah Kema.
Carson Hinzman
Josh Padilla
Jake Cook
Carson Hinzman will return for the Buckeyes next season, expecting to start at center. Josh Padilla will be a reliable backup to Hinzman, and Jake Cook will come in if needed.
Nate Roberts
Mason Williams
Hunter Welcing
Bennett Christian
Max LeBlanc
Brody Lennon
Nick Lautar
The Buckeyes’ tight end room will look very different in 2026 following the departures of Max Klare, Jelani Thurman, and Will Kacmarek. Nate Roberts, who had some involvement in the offense in his freshman season, will look to take the leap in his second season as the lead tight end. Keenan Bailey was active in the transfer portal, adding Mason Williams and Hunter Welcing. Bennett Christian will return for a final season and will look to have some involvement as well. Max Leblanc, Brody Lennon, and Nick Lautar will round out the room.
Jermaine Mathews
Dominick Kelly
Devin Sanchez
Cam Calhoun
Miles Lockhart
Jordyn Woods
Jay Timmons
Jordan Thomas
The Buckeyes’ depth at cornerback will be tested this season. Lorenzo Styles Jr played his final season of eligibility, and Ohio natives Aaron Scott Jr and Bryce West both entered the transfer portal. Davison Igbinosun also declared for the NFL Draft. Tim Walton replaced these key losses with Dominick Kelly and Cam Calhoun in the portal. Kelly is expected to compete for a starting role alongside Jermaine Mathews and Devin Sanchez. Miles Lockhart, Jordyn Woods, Jay Timmons, and Jordan Thomas will round out the cornerbacks room.
Jaylen McLain
Terry Moore
Earl Little Jr
Leroy Roker
Blaine Bradford
Deshawn Stewart
Simeon Caldwell
Khmari Bing
Kaden Gebhardt
The departure of Caleb Downs left a big hole in the Buckeyes safety room. That hole was filled with the additions of Terry Moore and Earl Little Jr through the transfer portal. Both are expected to have starting roles, and Little is expected to play the Nickelback role. Jaylen McClain will return for another season after earning the starting job alongside Downs last season. McClain beat out Malik Hartford, who entered the transfer portal after the season ended, along with Keenan Nelson Jr, Faheem Delane, and Cody Haddad. Freshman Blaine Bradford could compete with Leroy Roker for the first spot off the bench. Deshawn Stewart, Simeon Caldwell, Khmari Bin,g and Kaden Gebhardt will round out the position group.
Riley Pettijohn
Payton Pierce
Qua Russaw
Christian Alliegro
Tarvos Alford
Cincere Johnson
Eli Lee
CJ Sanna
Braxton Rembert
Garrett Stover
The linebacker group has seen tremendous improvement since James Laurinaitis returned to Ohio State as the linebackers coach. Projected first-rounders Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles headlined the position group this past season and will both be huge losses. Duquesne transfer Ty Howard also entered the portal. Riley Pettijohn will look to take over in his second season alongside Payton Pierce. In addition, Qua Russaw will also look to make an impact. Transfer addition Christian Alliegro will come off the bench along with TJ Alford, Cincere Johnson, Eli Lee, CJ Sanna, Garrett Stover, and Braxton Rembert.
James Smith
John Walker
Eddrick Houston
Will Smith Jr
Jason Moore
Khary Wilder
Damari Simeon
Emanuel Ruffin
Darryus McKinley
Jamir Perez
The departures of Kayden McDonald, Maxwell Roy, Eric Mensah, Jarquez Carter, and Trajen Odom were replaced by James Smith and John Walker. Eddrick Houston will gear up for another season, hoping to make a leap and become the key contributor that the Buckeyes need. Will Smith Jr will look to give the Buckeyes a nice cushion of depth, along with Jason Moore. Rounding out the position group and freshman class are Damari Simeon, Emanuel Ruffin, Darryus McKinley, Jamir Perez, and Khary Wilder.
Kenyatta Jackson Jr
Zion Grady
Epi Sitanilei
Beau Atkinson
Dre Quinn
Possibly the thinnest position group on the team, Kenyatta Jackson and Zion Grady will look to anchor down the rest of the defensive line. Epi Sitanilei will also be in the mix and will look to make an impact. Beau Atkinson and Dre Quinn will round out the position group. The Buckeyes lost Logan George, Caden Curry, Dom Kirks, Joshua Mickens, and CJ Hicks during the transfer portal and draft declaration window.
K Connor Hawkins
K Cooper Peterson
LS Dalton Riggs
LS Grant Mills
LS Landon Beal
P Brady Young
P Joey McGuire
Rounding out the roster will be the special teams unit. This position group desperately needed to be addressed, and the staff added many new faces. Baylor transfer Connor Hawkins will handle the kicking duties. Hawkins’ career long sits at 54 yards. He went 18-22 on field goals last season. Dalton Riggs is likely to be the starting long snapper, with Grant Mills and Landon Beal backing him up. The Buckeyes added former Cincinnati Bearcats and Houston Christian transfer punter Brady Young. He will compete with Joe McGuire, who has struggled in his time with Ohio State.
Cody Croy
Writer
Ryan Day added another key piece to his staff: former Illinois special teams coordinator Robby Discher, who will serve in the same role. Discher also served as the tight ends coach at Illinois. The Buckeyes have a committee of assistants and advisors that help out with special teams, but Rob Keys has held the title […]
Cody Croy
Writer
The Buckeyes are hiring former Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith to the same role, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. After months of speculation, the Buckeyes have found their guy. Smith becomes the fourth offensive coordinator to join the Buckeyes staff since 2024, a list that includes Bill O’Brien, Chip Kelly, and Brian Hartline. Hartline announced […]
Tony Thomas
Writer
The Indiana Hoosiers are the champions of college football, their first in the sport of football.
