It is a Saturday morning in Columbus. The air smells like charcoal and anticipation. If you walk near Lane Avenue, you’ll hear the same debate every single year: who is actually starting, and more importantly, who is waiting in the wings? The Ohio State two deep isn't just a piece of paper or a PDF released by the athletics department on a Tuesday. It’s a statement of intent. For Ryan Day and his staff, the depth chart is a puzzle where every piece is a four- or five-star recruit.
Honestly, the sheer volume of talent can be overwhelming. You look at the roster and realize that the guy playing on special teams would likely be an All-Conference starter at 80% of other Division I programs. That is the reality of life in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. It’s a "next man up" culture that actually works because the "next man" was a high school All-American.
But here’s the thing.
The depth chart is fluid. Coaches like Jim Knowles or Chip Kelly (now handling the offensive reigns) aren't married to a static list. They look for "functional depth." Can the backup defensive end play 25 snaps without the pass rush falling off a cliff? If the answer is no, the Ohio State two deep is a failure, regardless of how many stars are next to the names.
The Quarterback Room: A Hierarchy of Pressure
Let’s talk about the most scrutinized position in all of Ohio. The quarterback spot. In recent years, we’ve seen a shift from the pure pocket passer back toward guys who can move. When Will Howard transferred in from Kansas State, it shifted the entire dynamic of the Ohio State two deep. Suddenly, you had a veteran presence at the top, but the "two" spot became a fascinating battleground between young phenoms like Julian Sayin and Air Noland, alongside the steady Devon Brown.
It’s a pressure cooker.
If Howard struggles for two series, the fans start looking at the sidelines. That’s the blessing and the curse of having a two-deep that is this loaded. There is no such thing as a "safe" starting job in Columbus. You have to earn it every Tuesday and Wednesday in practice. Ryan Day has often said that "the film doesn't lie," and when you have a Heisman-caliber talent sitting at number two, the starter can never have a "bad day."
Think back to the 2014 season. Cardale Jones was technically the "three" on the depth chart at one point. That season proved why the Ohio State two deep is the most important document in the building. Injuries happen. Fatigue sets in. If your backup isn't ready to win a Big Ten Championship, you’re in trouble.
The Trenches: Where Games Are Won and Depth is Tested
On the offensive line, the two-deep is a bit more concerning for fans. While the Buckeyes have elite starters like Josh Simmons and Donovan Jackson, the drop-off to the second unit has been a point of contention in recent seasons. To win a National Championship, you need eight or nine guys who can play.
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Right now, the focus is on the interior. Seth McLaughlin’s arrival via the portal solidified the center spot, but who is backing him up? Is it a young guy like Joshua Padilla or a versatile vet? This is where the Ohio State two deep becomes a chess match. You aren't just looking for the second-best player; you’re looking for the guy who can play three different positions in an emergency.
- Left Tackle: Starters are usually locked in, but the swing tackle role is vital.
- The Guard rotation: Often involves three players for two spots to keep legs fresh in the fourth quarter.
- Center depth: The most overlooked part of the roster until a snap goes over the QB's head.
Defensively, it’s a different story. The defensive line depth under Larry Johnson is legendary. He doesn’t just have a two-deep; he has a "one-A" and a "one-B." Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau might start, but you’ll see Kenyatta Jackson and Caden Curry on the field by the second possession. This keeps the pass rush elite for sixty minutes. Most teams' offensive lines are gassed by the middle of the third quarter. The Buckeyes just keep sending in fresh, 270-pound monsters.
Wide Receiver University: The Problem of Too Much Talent
Brian Hartline has built a monster. It’s honestly ridiculous. The Ohio State two deep at wide receiver is basically an NFL scouting report. Emeka Egbuka is the veteran leader, but then you have the youth movement.
Jeremiah Smith. Carnell Tate. Brandon Inniss.
These aren't just "backups." They are future first-round picks. Sometimes, the guy at the "two" spot on the depth chart is actually more talented than the starter, but they’re just learning the nuances of the playbook. This creates a fascinating dynamic in the locker room. You have to be patient. In an era of the transfer portal, keeping the "two" in the Ohio State two deep from leaving for a starting role elsewhere is the hardest part of Ryan Day’s job.
The Secondary: Solving the Big Play Problem
For a few years, the back end of the defense was the Achilles' heel. But the current Ohio State two deep in the secondary is perhaps the most improved unit on the team. With Denzel Burke returning and the addition of Caleb Downs (a generational talent at safety), the starters are elite.
But look deeper.
The depth at cornerback with guys like Jermaine Mathews Jr. gives the Buckeyes the ability to play aggressive man-to-man coverage. If a starter’s helmet pops off, there’s no panic. That’s the hallmark of a championship team. You don't see the safeties playing 15 yards off the ball because they're scared of getting beat. They trust that the guy behind them on the depth chart is just as fast and just as disciplined.
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Why the "Two" Matters More Than Ever
In the new landscape of the 12-team College Football Playoff, the Ohio State two deep is the difference between a title and a January exit. You’re looking at potentially 16 or 17 games in a season. That is an NFL-length schedule played by college kids.
You cannot survive that with 22 starters.
You need 44.
The Buckeyes are one of the few programs in the country that can legitimately claim to have 44 "winning players." When you look at the special teams units, you see starters from the defense running down on kickoffs. Why? Because they want to be on the field, and the competition is so fierce that they’ll take any rep they can get.
The Reality of the Transfer Portal
We have to acknowledge that the depth chart is now a year-round construction project. The Ohio State two deep you see in August might look completely different by the time the spring portal window closes. It’s a constant battle of retention and acquisition.
If a player sees they are buried at third string, they’re gone.
If a starter feels complacent, the coaches will bring in a portal player to push them.
It’s cold, but it’s the reality of elite college football in 2026. The goal isn't just to have a good team; it's to have a roster that can withstand a disaster. If your star running back goes down (like we saw with TreVeyon Henderson in the past), do you have a Quinshon Judkins or a Dallan Hayden ready to carry the load? Having two "RB1s" is a luxury most coaches would kill for.
Actionable Insights for the Season Ahead
If you’re tracking the Ohio State two deep this season, stop looking just at the names and start looking at the snap counts. A player might be "second string" but still play 40% of the game. That is where the real value lies.
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Watch the rotation patterns in the first half. If the coaching staff is rotating the second unit in during "meaningful" minutes (not just garbage time), it means they trust the depth. This is a huge indicator of how the team will perform in November and December.
Monitor the "OR" on the official release. Coaches love to use "Player A OR Player B." Usually, this means the battle is neck-and-neck, but it can also be a motivational tactic. Don't read too much into who is listed first—read into who is on the field for the third-and-long plays.
Keep an eye on the freshmen on special teams. The quickest way to move up the Ohio State two deep is to prove you can tackle on a kickoff or block on a punt return. If you see a five-star freshman making plays on the "bomb squad," expect to see them in the defensive or offensive rotation by mid-October.
The depth chart isn't a static list. It's a living, breathing organism that defines the ceiling of the Ohio State Buckeyes. While the starters get the headlines and the NIL deals, the guys on the second line of that chart are the ones who will ultimately determine if a trophy returns to Columbus this year. Keep your eyes on the backups; they’re closer to the spotlight than you think.
Be sure to check the official availability reports two hours before kickoff. In the modern era, "game-time decisions" can wreck a depth chart in minutes, making the preparation of the second string the most important factor in the Buckeyes' weekly success. Pay attention to the line movement if a key "two" is ruled out—it tells you everything you need to know about the Vegas perception of Ohio State's depth.
Evaluate the offensive line continuity.
The most successful iterations of the Buckeyes' front five are those that don't need to rotate. Unlike the defensive line, where rotation is a weapon, a rotating offensive line usually signals a lack of clarity. If the Ohio State two deep at guard remains a revolving door into October, it's a red flag for the run game's consistency.
Track the hybrid positions.
Positions like the "Jack" on defense or the "H-Back" on offense often don't have a traditional two-deep. These are role-specific spots. Seeing how the staff fills these voids when a starter is out reveals their true tactical philosophy. Are they replacing the player, or are they changing the scheme?
Ultimately, being an expert on this roster means knowing the name of the backup nickelback as well as you know the starting quarterback. That is the level of detail required to understand the machine that is Ohio State football.