The dust is finally settling in Columbus after a postseason that felt like a fever dream. If you were at AT&T Stadium for that 24-14 loss to Miami in the Cotton Bowl, you know the vibe. It was cold. It was frustrating. Seeing Julian Sayin under constant duress while the offense stalled felt like a weird glitch in the matrix for a team that had just rolled through a 12-0 regular season.
But honestly? That loss might be the best thing to happen to the 2026 Buckeyes.
The news Ohio State football fans have been refreshing their feeds for all January is finally here, and it's a mix of "thank god" and "who is that?" We've got 30 players hitting the portal. We've got five projected first-rounders like Caleb Downs and Carnell Tate heading to the league. But we also have a core of "the guys" who decided that losing to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship and then face-planting against the U wasn't the way they wanted to go out.
The Trenches Are Staying Intact (Mostly)
Let's talk about the big humans. Everyone was panicked about the offensive line after the Miami game. Sayin got sacked five times. Five! You can't win like that. However, the news Ohio State football junkies needed was the return of the trio: Austin Siereveld, Luke Montgomery, and Carson Hinzman.
Siereveld is basically the anchor of this entire operation now. He played 810 snaps last year and didn't give up a single sack until the wheels fell off in the postseason. Having him back at left tackle is massive. It gives Julian Sayin a chance to actually breathe in 2026.
✨ Don't miss: Why Section 5 Boys Soccer Is Still the Toughest Road in New York State
On the flip side, losing Tegra Tshabola to Kentucky hurts the depth, but Ryan Day seems to be leaning into the "less is more" philosophy with the portal this year. Instead of just grabbing bodies, they are hunting specific fixes.
Defensive Line Stability
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. coming back is the headline. Most experts had him as a Day 2 NFL pick. He’s 6-6, 260 pounds, and he had 11 tackles for loss last year. With Caden Curry gone, Jackson is the undisputed alpha on that edge.
- The New Face: Keep an eye on Qua Russaw. The Alabama transfer is coming in to fill that "Leo" type role.
- The Local Kid: Sam Greer, the 6-7 freshman from Akron, is already on campus and looking like a future Sunday player.
- The Returning Vet: Jermaine Mathews Jr. staying at corner is probably the most underrated news of the week.
The Special Teams Problem Everyone Ignored
We have to talk about the kicking. It was a mess. Jayden Fielding graduated, and for a minute there, the Buckeyes literally didn't have a kicker on the roster. That’s not an exaggeration.
Ryan Day went out and snagged Connor Hawkins from Baylor. This kid is the real deal. He was 18-of-22 last year and—this is the part that matters—he was perfect from inside 40 yards. No more holding your breath on extra points. It’s a boring move, but it’s the kind of move that wins those 13-10 games that we lost to Indiana.
What’s Going on with the Coaching Staff?
This is where things get kinda murky. Brian Hartline leaving for the USF head coaching job left a massive hole. Hartline wasn't just a coordinator; he was the primary reason Ohio State became "Wide Receiver U."
The news Ohio State football fans are waiting for is the new OC. There are rumors about the Tennessee Titans staff being involved, and Day has been uncharacteristically quiet. He’s spent most of his time managing the 30 players leaving through the portal, which, frankly, is a full-time job in 2026.
Is the program in trouble? No. Ryan Day just signed a contract through 2031. He's got a national title from 2025 in his pocket. But the pressure is back. You can't lose to Michigan (even though they didn't last year) and you certainly can't lose back-to-back championship-level games and expect the fans to stay chill.
The 2026 Recruiting Class is Different
If you look at the names coming in, like Chris Henry Jr. and Khary Wilder, you see a shift. It's less about "who is the highest-rated five-star" and more about "who actually fits the culture."
Take Sam Greer or Cincere Johnson. These are Ohio kids. They grew up wanting to wear the scarlet and gray. After seeing 30 guys jump ship the moment the season ended, Day seems to be prioritizing loyalty and "grit"—words that coaches love to say but are actually starting to mean something again in Columbus.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're looking at how this team shapes up for the next run, keep these specific points in mind:
- Monitor the Safety Position: With Faheem Delane likely heading to LSU, the safety room is thin. Look for Earl Little Jr. (Florida State transfer) to play a massive role in the nickel.
- Watch Julian Sayin's Development: He had a stellar regular season but crumbled under pressure in the playoffs. The return of his starting O-line is his best friend.
- The Kicking Game: Connor Hawkins is the presumptive starter, but the Buckeyes are still looking for one more high school kicker to provide competition.
- The New OC: Whoever takes the job has to keep Jeremiah Smith happy. Smith is the best player in college football, and the offense needs to revolve around him, period.
The roster is getting leaner, but it's getting more focused. The "Silver Bullets" defense will look different without Caleb Downs, but with Kenyatta Jackson Jr. leading the way, the pass rush might actually be more explosive. It’s a transition year, sure, but at Ohio State, a "transition" still means 10+ wins and a playoff spot.