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After a fantastic regular-season in which Ohio State was ranked No. 1 ever since the win over Texas in Week 1, the postseason didn't pan out as anyone in Buckeye Nation wanted, ending with two straight losses to end the year well before the potential of what this team could have accomplished.
So, now, we usher in the offseason, and it's time to look forward, and that's exactly what we are doing. The Big Ten released the conference schedules for 2026 earlier this week, and it looks like the Buckeyes will have a challenging schedule that will have it battle-tested if it can navigate games against teams like Iowa, Oregon, USC, and Michigan.
To make it to another College Football Playoff, Ohio State's roster will need to be one of the best and most talented in the country again. Several Buckeyes are headed to the NFL draft, many of whom could be first-round picks, so there is plenty to replace. But there is also a lot of upper crust returning with guys like Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin, Bo Jackson, and Kenyatt Jackson returning, and that experienced talent will need to jell with another top-ten recruiting class.
Ohio State also lost a lot in the transfer portal, and yes, gained some as well, so it'll be interesting to see what the depth chart looks like when the Scarlet and Gray run out of the tunnel to host Ball State on Sept. 5. Here at Buckeyes Wire, we like to try and figure out the depth chart early and often as we head through the offseason and into the season, and since the transfer portal has closed and we know which Buckeyes are graduating and leaving for the NFL, it's time to take our first look at what the two-deep might look like before spring ball.
So, we peer into the crystal ball to do our best to determine a way-too-early projected Ohio State football depth chart for 2026 as January comes to an end. We start on the offensive side of the ball.
Starter | Julian Sayin
Backup | Tavien St. Clair
Sayin should be a Heisman front-runner and one of the best quarterbacks in the country. With the departure of Lincoln Kienholz through the portal, it's time for former 5-star Ohio native St. Clair to step in and be the backup when needed.
Starter | Bo Jackson
Backup | Isaiah West
The two freshmen who splashed on the scene last year should be the same two who will be the top two options in 2026. Jackson should be a big difference-maker in the backfield.
Starter | Jeremiah Smith
Backup | Chris Henry Jr.
Starter | Devin McCuin
Backup | Kyle Parker
Starter | Brandon Inniss
Backup | Jerquaden Guilford
There will be a huge competition behind Smith and Inniss, who both will be starters. Figuring out the pecking order behind them will be difficult, but 5-star talents Henry and Guilford will mix in with veteran transfer additions Parker and McCuin. Phillip Bell will also factor in, and we likely won't get a good feel on this until we see some reps in spring and fall camp.
Starter | Hunter Welcing
Backup | Nate Roberts
The coaching staff loves Roberts, but went out and got Welcing from Northwestern in the transfer portal for a veteran at the position. Ohio State has looked to get older and more experienced, so let's give the nod there. We also can't forget about Ohio transfer Mason Williams.
Starter | Carson Hinzman
Backup | Simon Lorentz
Starter | Luke Montgomery
Backup | Jake Cook
Starter | Joshua Padilla
Backup | Gabe VanSickle
Starter | Austin Siereveld
Backup | Ian Moore
Starter | Phillip Daniels
Backup | Carter Lowe
There's a lot of depth and experience here, but the right side of the line needs to develop. Ian Moore may push to be a starter, and if he does, he could slot in elsewhere. There will likely be surprises here, just like there was with Sierveld becoming the unquestioned leader of the group last offseason. The coaching staff will look to get the best five, even if one or two guys have to play out of their comfort zone in a different position.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State football way-too-early offensive depth chart projection
Continue reading...
So, now, we usher in the offseason, and it's time to look forward, and that's exactly what we are doing. The Big Ten released the conference schedules for 2026 earlier this week, and it looks like the Buckeyes will have a challenging schedule that will have it battle-tested if it can navigate games against teams like Iowa, Oregon, USC, and Michigan.
To make it to another College Football Playoff, Ohio State's roster will need to be one of the best and most talented in the country again. Several Buckeyes are headed to the NFL draft, many of whom could be first-round picks, so there is plenty to replace. But there is also a lot of upper crust returning with guys like Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin, Bo Jackson, and Kenyatt Jackson returning, and that experienced talent will need to jell with another top-ten recruiting class.
Ohio State also lost a lot in the transfer portal, and yes, gained some as well, so it'll be interesting to see what the depth chart looks like when the Scarlet and Gray run out of the tunnel to host Ball State on Sept. 5. Here at Buckeyes Wire, we like to try and figure out the depth chart early and often as we head through the offseason and into the season, and since the transfer portal has closed and we know which Buckeyes are graduating and leaving for the NFL, it's time to take our first look at what the two-deep might look like before spring ball.
So, we peer into the crystal ball to do our best to determine a way-too-early projected Ohio State football depth chart for 2026 as January comes to an end. We start on the offensive side of the ball.
Ohio State football projected 2026 offensive depth chart
Quarterback
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Starter | Julian Sayin
Backup | Tavien St. Clair
Sayin should be a Heisman front-runner and one of the best quarterbacks in the country. With the departure of Lincoln Kienholz through the portal, it's time for former 5-star Ohio native St. Clair to step in and be the backup when needed.
Running Back
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Starter | Bo Jackson
Backup | Isaiah West
The two freshmen who splashed on the scene last year should be the same two who will be the top two options in 2026. Jackson should be a big difference-maker in the backfield.
Wide Receiver (X)
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Starter | Jeremiah Smith
Backup | Chris Henry Jr.
Wide Receiver (Z)
Starter | Devin McCuin
Backup | Kyle Parker
Wide Receiver (Slot)
Starter | Brandon Inniss
Backup | Jerquaden Guilford
There will be a huge competition behind Smith and Inniss, who both will be starters. Figuring out the pecking order behind them will be difficult, but 5-star talents Henry and Guilford will mix in with veteran transfer additions Parker and McCuin. Phillip Bell will also factor in, and we likely won't get a good feel on this until we see some reps in spring and fall camp.
Tight End
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Starter | Hunter Welcing
Backup | Nate Roberts
The coaching staff loves Roberts, but went out and got Welcing from Northwestern in the transfer portal for a veteran at the position. Ohio State has looked to get older and more experienced, so let's give the nod there. We also can't forget about Ohio transfer Mason Williams.
Center
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Starter | Carson Hinzman
Backup | Simon Lorentz
Left Guard
Starter | Luke Montgomery
Backup | Jake Cook
Right Guard
Starter | Joshua Padilla
Backup | Gabe VanSickle
Left Tackle
Starter | Austin Siereveld
Backup | Ian Moore
Right Tackle
Starter | Phillip Daniels
Backup | Carter Lowe
There's a lot of depth and experience here, but the right side of the line needs to develop. Ian Moore may push to be a starter, and if he does, he could slot in elsewhere. There will likely be surprises here, just like there was with Sierveld becoming the unquestioned leader of the group last offseason. The coaching staff will look to get the best five, even if one or two guys have to play out of their comfort zone in a different position.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State football way-too-early offensive depth chart projection
Continue reading...
