Honestly, looking at the Ohio State 2025 depth chart right now feels like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while riding a roller coaster. We’re sitting here in mid-January 2026, and the dust is only just starting to settle from a wild 12-1 season that saw Julian Sayin nearly snag a Heisman. But college football doesn't stop for breath. With the transfer portal door swinging like a saloon entrance and the NFL draft raid in full effect, the roster you saw in the College Football Playoff is basically ancient history.
Everyone's talking about the "rebuilding" phase, but let's be real—Ohio State doesn't rebuild. They reload. Yet, there’s a massive misconception that the 2025 squad was just a one-hit-wonder of veteran talent. It wasn't. The real story of the upcoming cycle is how Ryan Day has managed to keep the offensive line from collapsing while integrating a defensive secondary that looks like an All-American track team.
The Sayin Era and the Quarterback Room
Julian Sayin didn't just meet expectations in 2025; he shattered the NCAA record for completion percentage at 78.4%. You've probably heard the stats by now, but seeing it in person was something else. He’s the undisputed QB1 heading into the next cycle. Behind him, though, things get interesting.
Lincoln Kienholz has stayed patient, which is rare these days. He’s the clear backup, but the guy everyone is whispering about is Tavien St. Clair. The Bellefontaine native arrived with massive hype as a five-star, and while he spent most of last year holding a clipboard, his physical development is scary. He’s 6-foot-4 and looks every bit like the future. If Sayin even stubs a toe, the competition for that #2 spot between Kienholz and St. Clair is going to be the talk of spring ball.
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A Backfield in Transition
We’ve gotta talk about the "James Peoples era." With TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins finally off to the pros, the backfield is a completely different animal. James Peoples and West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson carried the load last year, but the Ohio State 2025 depth chart showed us that the Buckeyes are moving toward a more physical, downhill style.
Donaldson is a bruiser. He’s 238 pounds of "get out of my way."
Peoples is the lightning to that thunder.
Then you have the freshmen. Bo Jackson—yes, that's his real name—and Anthony "Turbo" Rogers are the wildcards. Rogers is likely going to be used as a pass-catching threat out of the backfield, sort of a hybrid role that Day loves to play with when he has an explosive athlete.
The "Zone 6" Reload
Losing Emeka Egbuka hurts, but having Jeremiah Smith makes it a lot easier to sleep at night. Smith is already being talked about as a top-5 NFL pick for whenever he's eligible. He’s the "X" receiver, and basically, if the ball is in the air, it’s his.
Carnell Tate is the "Z," and he's probably the most underrated player on the roster. He just does everything right. The slot role is where the battle lives. Brandon Inniss has officially taken over that Emeka role, but Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter were making huge waves before they decided to hit the portal for Notre Dame. That was a gut punch. Now, guys like David Adolph and Phillip Bell have to step up. Honestly, the depth at receiver is thinner than we’re used to in Columbus, but the top-end talent is still the best in the country.
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Projecting the Offensive Line
This is where the stress levels rise. Carson Hinzman and Luke Montgomery just announced they’re coming back for 2026, which is massive.
- Left Tackle: Austin Siereveld (He’s been a rock)
- Left Guard: Luke Montgomery (The veteran leader now)
- Center: Carson Hinzman (35 career starts and counting)
- Right Guard: Gabe VanSickle (Keep an eye on him, he’s rising fast)
- Right Tackle: Phillip Daniels
The line struggled against Indiana and Miami late in the season, specifically with speed rushes. Seeing Hinzman return for a fifth year provides that "old man strength" you need in the Big Ten trenches.
Defensive Reinventions
The defense is losing some legendary names. JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer are gone. That’s 1,300+ snaps of experience walking out the door. Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Caden Curry are finally getting their "starter" tags, but the real splash was landing James Smith from Alabama via the portal.
Smith is nearly 300 pounds and moves like a linebacker. He’s going to be the anchor of the interior alongside Eddrick Houston.
In the secondary, Caleb Downs is still the king. He’s the best safety in college football, period. But the Ohio State 2025 depth chart is being bolstered by Terry Moore from Duke and the arrival of five-star Devin Sanchez. Sanchez has that Denzel Burke-style length—6-foot-2 and incredibly sticky in man coverage.
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The Tight End Vacuum
Max Klare just declared for the draft. That leaves a massive hole. Klare was Sayin's safety valve all year. Will Kacmarek is out of eligibility, too. This means the 2026 depth chart is going to rely heavily on Bennett Christian and redshirt sophomore Nate Roberts.
Day went and grabbed Mason Williams (from Ohio) and Hunter Welcing (Northwestern) from the portal to add some veteran bodies, but this position is a total question mark right now. It might be the first time in years where the Buckeyes don't have a clear "NFL-ready" tight end ready to go on day one.
What Happens Next?
If you're following the Ohio State 2025 depth chart and looking toward the 2026 season, here is what you actually need to do to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Spring Game specifically for the Right Guard battle. Gabe VanSickle is the favorite, but Joshua Padilla is right there. If the interior line isn't settled by April, the offense might stutter early in September.
- Monitor the portal for one more veteran WR. With Porter and Graham gone, the Buckeyes are one injury away from having to start a true freshman in the slot.
- Follow the defensive line rotations. Jim Knowles loves to rotate, but with the starters being relatively "new" to the 60-snap-per-game life, seeing who the 3rd and 4th ends are (watch Zion Grady) will tell you if the defense can hold up in the fourth quarter.
The talent is there. The coaching is stable. But the 2025 depth chart proved that unless you have the "old guys" in the trenches, the five-star skill players can only take you so far. Keep an eye on the guys with the high snap counts, not just the high star ratings.