The Woody Hayes Athletic Center is usually a place of rigid routine, but right now? It’s a revolving door of chaos. If you’ve been doom-scrolling for the latest Ohio State football updates, you know the vibes in Columbus are a weird mix of "we just won a natty in 2024" and "wait, why is everyone leaving?"
Honestly, the Cotton Bowl loss to Miami on December 31st felt like a bucket of ice water to the face. It wasn’t just a loss; it was a signal that the 2025 "Gold Pants" era is officially over. We are staring down a 2026 season that looks like a total rebuild, but Ryan Day isn't exactly building a shed. He's building a skyscraper with SEC steel.
The NFL Exodus and the Defensive Vacuum
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the NFL Draft. We knew it was coming, but seeing the names hit the wire still hurts. Sonny Styles officially declared on January 14th. That’s a massive blow. He was the heart of that defense, literally a perfect 80-for-80 on tackles through the first 13 games last year. You don't just "replace" that kind of reliability.
But he’s not alone. Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs, Carnell Tate, and Kayden McDonald are all gone. Most of these guys are projected first-rounders. It’s a talent drain that would kill 95% of programs. Arvell Reese is even being talked about as a top-five pick. Think about that. The Buckeyes are essentially losing an entire Pro Bowl roster in one month.
Then there's the Max Klare situation. He caught 43 passes last year and was the safety valve for the offense. He's gone too. If you’re keeping score at home, that is a lot of leadership walking out the door for a paycheck.
Ryan Day’s Aggressive Portal Counter-Attack
So, how do you fix a hollowed-out roster? You pillage the SEC. Ryan Day has basically set up a permanent recruiting office in Alabama.
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The biggest Ohio State football updates this week involve a massive haul from the portal. The Buckeyes landed the #1 ranked defensive tackle in the portal, James Smith, along with edge rusher Qua Russaw. Both are former five-star recruits from Bama. It’s clear the strategy is to replace the departing NFL talent with guys who were already playing at an elite level in the South.
They also snagged:
- John Walker (DT from UCF)
- Ja’Kobi Jackson (RB from Florida)
- Terry Moore (Safety from Duke)
- Earl Little (Safety from Florida State)
Ja’Kobi Jackson is a fascinating addition. He’s a "committee" back—5'11", 214 pounds—who doesn't need 30 carries to be effective. With James Peoples heading to Penn State (yeah, that one stung), Jackson provides a veteran presence behind Bo Jackson. He's a seventh-year guy. He's basically a grandfather in college football years, but that experience is exactly what Julian Sayin needs in the backfield.
The Coaching Carousel: Life After Brian Hartline
This is the one that actually keeps fans up at night. Brian Hartline is gone. He’s taking over at USF, and while we’re happy for him, "Wide Receiver U" feels a little vulnerable.
Ryan Day moved fast, though. He hired Cortez Hankton from LSU to coach the wideouts. Hankton has a resume that stacks up: he coached Malik Nabers and George Pickens. He’s got NFL experience. But the real job? Keeping Jeremiah Smith happy. Smith is the undisputed superstar of this team now. If Hankton can keep Smith and incoming freshman Chris Henry Jr. on the same page, the offense will be fine.
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But the play-calling? That’s still a mess. Day took over the headset for the Miami game and, let's be real, it was a disaster. The Buckeyes had their lowest yards-per-carry average since 2011 in that game. He needs a real offensive coordinator so he can go back to being a CEO. Until that hire is finalized, the ceiling for 2026 feels a little lower than usual.
The O-Line and the Special Teams Curse
If you watched the Indiana or Miami games, you probably wanted to throw your remote at the TV every time the field goal unit came out. Jayden Fielding struggled. Joe McGuire struggled.
The good news? They finally addressed it. They brought in Connor Hawkins from the portal to be the new kicker. It’s a small update, but in a 12-team (now even larger) playoff era, a reliable kicker is the difference between a bye week and a flight to Miami.
On the line, things are actually looking up. Luke Montgomery and Carson Hinzman both announced they are returning for 2026. Hinzman has 35 career starts. That’s huge because Tegra Tshabola bailed for Kentucky. Having a veteran interior line to protect Julian Sayin is the only way this offense functions. Sayin has all the tools, but he’s still a young QB who needs a clean pocket to find Jeremiah Smith downfield.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule is Brutal
If you think the roster turnover is a lot to handle, wait until you see the 2026 schedule. It’s a gauntlet.
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- Sep 5: Ball State
- Sep 12: at Texas
- Sep 19: Kent State
That Week 2 trip to Austin is going to be the "Welcome to the New Era" moment for Julian Sayin and this rebuilt defense. Then you’ve got road trips to USC, Iowa, and Nebraska, plus the usual Michigan showdown.
What You Should Do Now
If you’re a die-hard fan, stop worrying about the number of players in the portal and start looking at the quality of the "ins." The Buckeyes are getting older and more physical on defense.
Next Steps for Buckeye Nation:
- Watch the OC Search: This is the most critical move left. If Day hires a "yes man," the offense will stall. If he hires a heavy hitter, they’re title contenders.
- Track the Spring Game: Keep an eye on the chemistry between Cortez Hankton and the receivers. That relationship determines the deep ball.
- Ignore the "Rebuild" Label: This is a "Reload." With Julian Sayin at QB and Jeremiah Smith at WR, the floor is still 10 wins.
The 2026 season will be defined by how quickly these SEC transfers gel with the "Hilliard/Pickerington" core. It’s a different look for Ohio State, but in the modern era of the portal, it might be the only way to stay at the top.