Ryan Day enters his eighth season at Ohio State following a 12-2 campaign in 2025. On offense, Arthur Smith takes over as coordinator and play-caller, while Julian Sayin returns at quarterback after his first season as the starter. Bo Jackson also returns at running back after averaging 84 rushing yards per game last season. Update (Oct. 14): Ja’Kobi Jackson has emerged as a significant contributor alongside Bo Jackson, giving Ohio State a productive two-back rotation. The duo has combined for 814 rushing yards through six games. Leading receiver Jeremiah Smith is back after catching 87 passes for 12 touchdowns, and Ohio State brings back three of its top five pass catchers. LSU transfer Kyler Parker joins the receiving corps, and five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr., the No. 1-rated prospect in California, is another notable addition. At tight end, Nate Roberts returns, while Northwestern transfer Hunter Welching joins the group. Up front, the offensive line brings back four full-time starters: Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, Austin Siereveld, and Phillip Daniels. Montgomery, Hinzman, and Siereveld each made 14 starts last season, while Daniels made 12. Update (Oct. 14): Ohio State’s offensive line has dealt with injuries to two returning starters. RT Phillip Daniels has missed four consecutive games with a lower-body injury but is expected to return against Indiana, while Austin Siereveld missed the Maryland game and remains uncertain for the upcoming matchup.
Matt Patricia is back for his second season as defensive coordinator as Ohio State replaces its top six tacklers from last season. Overall, the Buckeyes return only four of their top eleven tacklers, though three were full-time starters. Up front, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. returns after 14 starts, while UCF transfer John Walker and Alabama transfer James Smith join the group after 12 and 11 starts, respectively. At linebacker, Payton Pierce is back after three starts last season, while Wisconsin transfer Christian Alliegro joins the group after eight starts in 2025. In the secondary, full-time starters Jaylen McClain and Jermaine Mathews Jr. each return after 14 starts last season. Florida State transfer Earl Little Jr. also joins the group after 11 starts in 2025, while Duke transfer Terry Moore adds another to the secondary.
Robby Discher takes over as special teams coordinator after serving in the same role at Illinois. Baylor transfer Connor Hawkins joins the program at placekicker after making 18 of 22 field-goal attempts last season, while Joe McGuire returns at punter, with Houston Christian transfer Brady Young also joining the group. Brandon Inniss has return game experience.
Overall, Ohio State enters 2026 with continuity on offense, including its starting quarterback, leading rusher, leading receiver, and four full-time starters along the offensive line. Ja’Kobi Jackson has emerged alongside Bo Jackson to give the Buckeyes a productive backfield rotation, although injuries to Daniels and Siereveld have temporarily disrupted the offensive line. Defensively, the Buckeyes must replace their top six tacklers, but they return three full-time starters from last season’s top eleven and add several transfers with significant starting experience, setting up a roster built on offensive continuity and defensive turnover.