With Ohio State’s national championship celebrations wrapped up and the NFL season concluded—highlighted by Parris Campbell’s Philadelphia Eagles winning the Super Bowl—now is the perfect time for an early preview of the 2025 Buckeyes.
Ryan Day has completed his offensive coaching staff by elevating Brian Hartline to full-time offensive coordinator and bringing in Tyler Bowen as the offensive line coach. Hartline’s expertise in the passing game, combined with Bowen’s experience with the run game, should help maintain balance for Ohio State’s offense, though the roster will feature plenty of new faces.
Ryan Day has completed his offensive coaching staff by elevating Brian Hartline to full-time offensive coordinator and bringing in Tyler Bowen as the offensive line coach. Hartline’s expertise in the passing game, combined with Bowen’s experience with the run game, should help maintain balance for Ohio State’s offense, though the roster will feature plenty of new faces.
Starting QB: Julian Sayin
After just one season in Columbus, Will Howard cemented his legacy as an Ohio State legend and now hands the reins to Alabama transfer Julian Sayin. Ranked as the No. 1 quarterback and No. 6 overall prospect in the 2024 class by the 247Sports Composite, the former five-star recruit joined the Buckeyes following Nick Saban’s retirement. Though he has attempted only 12 passes—completing five for 84 yards and a touchdown—Sayin is the next in line to lead Ryan Day’s quarterback-driven offense.
Competing for the backup quarterback role are sophomore Lincoln Kienholz and true freshman Tavien St. Clair. Kienholz, a top-200 recruit in the 2023 class, attempted 22 passes for Ohio State in 2023, completing 10 for 111 yards, but did not throw a pass in his two appearances in 2024. St. Clair, on the other hand, enters as a five-star prospect, ranked the No. 3 quarterback in the 2025 class and the top player in Ohio.
Starting RB: James Peoples
Backup RB: CJ Donaldson
With TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins off to the NFL after leading Ohio State’s national championship run, the Buckeyes must replace two highly productive backs. Judkins tallied 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Henderson posted 1,016 yards and 10 scores, both playing key roles in the offense. Running backs coach Carlos Locklyn will aim to replicate that dynamic two-back system in 2025 with James Peoples and CJ Donaldson.
Peoples enters his second year at Ohio State after being ranked as a top-10 running back in the 2024 class and a top-20 prospect from Texas. The 5-foot-10 back gained valuable experience as a freshman, carrying the ball 49 times for 197 yards and two touchdowns while backing up Henderson and Judkins. Donaldson, on the other hand, arrives in Columbus as a transfer from West Virginia, where the senior amassed over 2,000 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns during his three seasons with the Mountaineers.
Locklyn also brings in a highly talented freshman class, featuring a trio of first-year running backs: Anthony “Turbo” Rogers, Bo Jackson, and Isaiah West.
WR1: Jeremiah Smith
WR2: Carnell Tate
WR3: Brandon Inniss
Depth: Mylan Graham, Bryson Rodgers, Quincy Porter
Even with the departure of Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State’s all-time leader in career receptions, a Brian Hartline-coached receiver group is always elite. That remains true in 2025, led by former freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith. Smith exceeded expectations last season, leading the Buckeyes with over 1,300 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. Though he’s already NFL-ready, eligibility rules require him to play two more years in college—much to Hartline’s benefit.
Lining up alongside Smith are two standout receivers in Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss. Tate made a significant impact as Ohio State’s WR3 in 2024, hauling in 52 catches for 733 yards and four touchdowns, and will now take on an even larger role. Inniss, meanwhile, had a quieter year in the passing game with 14 receptions for 176 yards and a touchdown but proved invaluable on special teams. His hard work will be rewarded as he steps into a top-three receiver role in 2025.
Beyond the top three receivers, several players have the potential to earn bigger roles as the season progresses. Mylan Graham, a five-star recruit and the No. 7 wide receiver in the 2024 class, brings plenty of talent, while Quincy Porter arrives as a five-star freshman ranked No. 5 at his position in the 2025 cycle. Bryson Rodgers, a former top-400 prospect, has shown promise in practice over his first two years and appears ready for a breakout season.
Starting TE: Max Klare
Backup TE: Will Kacmarek OR Jelani Thurman
Ohio State’s tight end group has the potential to be elite in 2025, thanks in large part to the addition of Purdue transfer Max Klare. A top-15 overall player and the No. 1 tight end in the latest transfer portal cycle, Klare enters his junior year after a standout season with the Boilermakers, leading the team with 51 receptions for 685 yards and four touchdowns. While the Buckeyes don’t typically emphasize tight ends in the passing game, Klare’s skill set as a receiving threat could change that dynamic.
Backing up Klare is Will Kacmarek, who will likely see significant playing time alongside him due to his strong blocking ability. The Ohio University transfer had a limited role in the passing game last season, recording just eight catches for 86 yards, but often functioned as an extra offensive lineman. Meanwhile, Jelani Thurman is another option at the position, with the towering 6-foot-6 tight end entering his junior season after steadily improving over his first two years at Ohio State.
LT: Ethan Onianwa
LG: Luke Montgomery
C: Carson Hinzman
RG: Austin Siereveld OR Tegra Tshabola
RT: Phillip Daniels
Ohio State’s offensive line went through a whirlwind season, and many key players have now moved on. Early in the year, tackle Josh Simmons and guard Seth McLaughlin anchored the unit, but both suffered season-ending injuries and are now headed to the next level. To fill the gap, Donovan Jackson shifted from guard to tackle, but he and fellow tackle Josh Fryar are also off to the NFL. With both starting tackles needing replacements, the Buckeyes turned to the transfer portal for reinforcements.
Ohio State found its new tackles in the transfer portal, landing Ethan Onianwa and Phillip Daniels. Onianwa, a seasoned veteran with 34 starts at Rice, was a dominant presence last season, allowing just one sack in 350 pass-blocking snaps, according to PFF. Daniels, a Cincinnati native, began his college career at Minnesota, where the 6-foot-5, 315-pound lineman started the Gophers’ final four games. He was set to retain that role in 2025 but will now do so in Columbus instead.
On the interior, the Buckeyes have plenty of returning talent, as all four players who contributed late last season are back. Carson Hinzman is the clear favorite to remain the starting center, while Luke Montgomery, Austin Siereveld, and Tegra Tshabola will compete for the two guard spots. Given Montgomery’s strong performance in the College Football Playoff, he has a slight edge, likely starting alongside either Siereveld or Tshabola.
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