Ryan Day enters his eighth season at Ohio State following a 12-2 campaign in 2025. Arthur Smith takes over as offensive coordinator and play-caller, while Julian Sayin returns at quarterback after his first season as the starter. Bo Jackson returns at running back after averaging 84 rushing yards per game last season. Leading receiver Jeremiah Smith also returns after recording 87 receptions and 12 touchdowns, and Ohio State brings back three of its top five pass catchers. LSU transfer Kyler Parker joins the receiving corps, while 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 will return four full-time starters in Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, Austin Siereveld, and Phillip Daniels. Montgomery, Hinzman, and Siereveld each made 14 starts last season, while Daniels made 12.
Matt Patricia is back for his second season as defensive coordinator as Ohio State replaces its top six tacklers from last season. The Buckeyes return just four of their top eleven tacklers, although three were full-time starters. Up front, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. returns after making 14 starts, while UCF transfer John Walker and Alabama transfer James Smith join the group after making 12 and 11 starts, respectively. At linebacker, Payton Pierce is back after making three starts last season, while Wisconsin transfer Christian Alliegro joins the group after making eight starts in 2025. In the secondary, full-time starters Jaylen McClain and Jermaine Mathews Jr. each return after making 14 starts last season. Florida State transfer Earl Little Jr. joins the group after making 11 starts in 2025, while Duke transfer Terry Moore provides another addition to the secondary.
Robby Discher takes over as special teams coordinator after previously holding the same position 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 experience in the return game. Overall, Ohio State enters 2026 with significant continuity on offense, including its starting quarterback, leading rusher, leading receiver, and four full-time starters along the offensive line. Defensively, the Buckeyes must replace their top six tacklers, but return three full-time starters from last season’s top eleven while adding several transfers with significant starting experience.