What you need to know about Ohio State’s roster: 43 thoughts on 43 offensive players

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There are only 10 more weeks until August comes and Ohio State begins preseason camp in hopes of defending its national championship.

With both transfer portal windows closed, the roster is likely set. What should you know about every player? Here are thoughts on Ohio State’s 43 scholarship offensive players. Check back for defense and special teams later this week.

Players are ordered by expected impact in 2025 at each position.

Quarterbacks

Julian Sayin, r-Fr.: The No. 1 quarterback recruit in the 2024 class has been the favorite to win the Buckeyes’ 2025 quarterback job since he left Alabama when Nick Saban retired last year. He was Ohio State’s third-string quarterback as a true freshman and showed some flashes of his arm talent in limited snaps. He was inconsistent in the spring, but his strong spring scrimmage performance vaulted him to a slight lead over Lincoln Kienholz, in my opinion. His arm talent stands out, and he moves around the pocket well, too, which is crucial because he’s only 6 feet 1. The competition is far from over, and he’ll have to work to separate from Kienholz.

Lincoln Kienholz, r-Soph.: Kienholz is the most experienced of the returning quarterbacks — with just 22 career pass attempts — and had a good but inconsistent spring in which he showed off his athleticism. He finished the spring game completing 12 of 18 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns. The South Dakota native didn’t do enough to win the starting job, but he will be in the two-man race with Sayin when camp begins in August.

Eli Brickhandler, r-Jr.: Ryan Day prefers to have at least four quarterbacks on the roster, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he added one this spring. Brickhandler, a Houston Christian transfer, committed to the Buckeyes on May 20 and gives the Buckeyes some extra experience, even if he’s totaled only 144 career pass attempts in the FCS. I don’t expect him to come in and compete for the starting job, but he’ll have two years of eligibility left to aid the Buckeyes’ depth.

Tavien St. Clair, Fr.: The five-star, No. 7 prospect in the 2025 class had a stellar first spring after enrolling early from Bellefontaine High School, less than an hour from Columbus. He struggled at times in the spring game, throwing two interceptions, but growing pains are expected for most freshmen. He will have time to grow, as Ohio State shouldn’t need to press him into duty. St. Clair’s future is bright.

Running backs

James Peoples, Soph.: Though Peoples hasn’t had a chance to shine yet — he rushed for 197 yards behind Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson as a freshman — many people in the program think the 2024 four-star recruit from Texas is going to be special. He moves well between the tackles and has shown some explosiveness. The 203-pound Peoples should be the starter when the season begins, though carries will be split.

C.J. Donaldson, Sr.: The West Virginia transfer showed some flashes of being an impact player this spring, but it’s hard to really gauge running backs when there’s not as much contact. Still, the 6-foot-2, 237-pounder has a unique frame and experience — 30 touchdowns in three years with the Mountaineers — that should put him in a two-man primary rotation with Peoples.

Bo Jackson, Fr.: Of the freshmen, Jackson seems the most ready to get on the field, which is impressive considering he missed the end of his senior high school season with an injury. He didn’t show a lot in the spring, with most eyes on Donaldson and Peoples, but Jackson looked promising in the spring game. His future is bright.

Sam Williams-Dixon, r-Fr.: Williams-Dixon entered the portal after the season but returned instead of finding another home. He will likely battle Jackson for the third-string running back position, a spot that will include rotational reps and fourth-quarter snaps in lopsided games.

Anthony Rogers, Fr.: Rogers, a four-star former Alabama commit, won’t arrive in Columbus until this summer, but he’s an explosive playmaker who should provide some big-play potential and depth when he’s up to speed in the offense.

Isaiah West, Fr.: The three-star recruit from St. Joe’s Prep in Philadelphia was on campus in the spring but missed most of it due to injury. Running backs coach Carlos Locklyn liked his potential and offered a scholarship last May, early into his first year at Ohio State. We’ll see more from West in the summer.

CJ Donaldson rushed for 2,058 yards in three years at WVU. (Michael C. Johnson / Imagn Images)

Wide receivers

Jeremiah Smith, Soph.: Smith returns as the best receiver in the country — and also arguably the best player at any position. The No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2024 tallied 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as a freshman and now has the impossible task of trying to top that debut performance. He has a real chance to make a trip to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony, though that could depend on the development of Sayin or Kienholz at quarterback.

Carnell Tate, Jr.: Tate will see even more opportunities with Emeka Egbuka gone. A five-star recruit, Tate has made steady improvement in his two years. He made an immediate impact as a freshman with 18 catches for 264 yards and one touchdown, then stepped in as the third receiver and caught 52 passes for 733 yards and four touchdowns last year. He has first-round NFL talent and will get a chance to show it all this year.

Brandon Inniss, Jr.: It’s finally Inniss’ time. The top-40 recruit had to wait his turn after Egbuka decided to return last season, but he still carved out a role as Ohio State’s fourth receiver. Now, with Egbuka gone, he’s primed to step in as the Buckeyes’ slot receiver. He had 14 catches for 176 yards and one touchdown and returned punts last season, and he gives the Buckeyes another strong route runner.

Mylan Graham, r-Fr.: Graham, a former five-star prospect from Indiana, was the talk of the spring game this year after not arriving in Columbus until last summer. He appeared in four games as a freshman to preserve his redshirt and should get on the field more this year, as he’s competing with Bryson Rodgers and freshman Quincy Porter to take over that fourth receiver spot. A good preseason camp could put him squarely in the rotation.

Bryson Rodgers, R-Soph.: Rodgers is a good example of just how deep Ohio State’s receiving corps is. A four-star, top-400 recruit, he hasn’t been able to break into the rotation in his first two years, as he had just five catches last year. But he’s a strong route runner and has impressed the staff, even if he’ll have to compete at a high level this summer to earn more snaps.

Quincy Porter, Fr.: If any freshman receiver is going to make an immediate impact, Porter is the favorite. The five-star signee had one of the best spring sessions among all Ohio State freshmen, showing off his ability to make contested catches consistently. He’ll have to bring it again in the summer, but when Smith is calling him the next great one, that’s a sign of good things to come.

Phillip Bell, Fr.: A four-star recruit from California, Bell was the No. 275 player in the class and will likely need some time to challenge for playing time in such a deep group.

David Adolph, r-Jr.: Adolph, a local player from Dublin, Ohio, was a walk-on until last August when he was rewarded for his strong offseason with a scholarship. He’s not likely to take the field in major snaps, but he adds some depth to a deep unit and played 114 special teams snaps, per TruMedia.

De’Zie Jones, Fr.: The New Jersey product was another four-star recruit in the Class of 2025 who will use the summer to develop after enrolling in January. He’ll likely be third on the slot receiver depth chart this summer, but he has a lot of talent. His position in the units speaks to the quality of depth at the position.

Bodpegn Miller, Fr.: Miller has good size at 6-4, with excellent athleticism to go with it and impressed the coaching staff at a one-day camp last summer. He arrived at Ohio State as a developmental prospect after playing quarterback and defense in high school. He’s a strong redshirt candidate this year as he develops.

Damarion Witten, r-Fr.: The 6-4, 215-pound Witten was a tight end coming out of high school but spent all of last season at wide receiver. He’s still adjusting to the position but showed good ball skills and an ability to high-point the ball. He has a chance to fight for second-team reps this season.

Tight ends

Max Klare, r-Jr.: The versatile Purdue transfer can play on the line or in the slot and is a mismatch in the passing game. He scored a touchdown in the spring game, and Ohio State is only scratching the surface of what it can do with the potential All-American in the lineup after he led the Boilermakers with 51 catches for 685 yards and four touchdowns last season.

Will Kacmarek, r-Sr.: Kacmarek was in a boot at the end of the spring and missed the spring game, but that injury isn’t expected to keep him out of preseason camp. He will be one of the top two tight ends when he steps on the field.

Bennett Christian, r-Jr.: The Georgia native isn’t one of the flashiest names on the roster, but he does a lot to impress the coaching staff. He had a 55-yard touchdown catch from Sayin against Western Michigan last September.

Jelani Thurman, r-Soph.: One of the most physically impressive players on the roster, Thurman is a massive threat in the passing game at 6-6 and has improved his blocking enough to be on the field for extended snaps. This could be a breakout season for Thurman after he had four catches last season.

Max LeBlanc, r-Fr.: The Canadian native will provide some depth at one of the deepest positions on the roster. He played just 14 snaps but was the lone tight end signee in 2024 and will be able to compete for more time next year.

Nate Roberts, Fr.: The No. 10 tight end in the 2025 class, Roberts showed flashes of a bright future during the spring. There’s a logjam above him on the depth chart, but Ohio State is excited about how he could develop.

Brody Lennon, Fr.: Lennon is the other half of the talented freshman duo with Roberts. The tight end room is deep, though, so he can take time to develop, especially because he did not enroll in time for spring practice.

Offensive linemen

Ethan Onianwa, r-Sr.: One of Ohio State’s biggest moves this offseason was adding Onianwa out of the portal. The Rice transfer was an NFL prospect before he decided to finish his career at Ohio State. He fills a massive void at left tackle after Josh Simmons left for the NFL.

Carson Hinzman, r-Jr.: Hinzman was one of the major glue pieces to Ohio State’s championship run a year ago. With the injuries up front, he was forced to play both guard and center and held his own at both. He’ll go back to center this year with Seth McLaughlin gone and is expected to be one of the strengths of the line.

Luke Montgomery, Jr.: The Ohio native will likely start at left guard this year, where he came into his own during last year’s championship run. Montgomery and Onianwa give the Buckeyes one side of the line they can lock in right now.

Tegra Tshabola, r-Jr.: After splitting time with Austin Siereveld at right guard last year, Tshabola seemed to have control of the role this spring. He’s improved immensely since last spring and could help solidify a strong interior line group.

Austin Siereveld, r-Soph.: Siereveld is a perfect fit for the versatile sixth lineman role, but he appears to be entering the summer as the team’s starting right tackle instead. He played guard last year, so even if he doesn’t win the battle at right tackle, he could swing inside on occasions as well.

Philip Daniels, r-Soph.: The Minnesota transfer might not be locked into the starting lineup going into the summer, but he will battle for the right tackle position against Siereveld. For now, it seems like Siereveld has the upper hand, but Daniels is a more than capable backup.

Josh Padilla, r-Soph.: With McLaughlin gone, Padilla steps up on the depth chart as Ohio State’s backup center. We haven’t seen a lot of Padilla yet, but he could get some opportunities this fall..

Ian Moore, R-Fr.: Moore began the spring as the team’s starting left tackle, but as expected, Onianwa took it over. Ohio State may have brought in someone else this year, but Moore is the favorite to be a starter next season if he continues to develop.

Deontae Armstrong, r-Fr.: The Cleveland native hasn’t made an impact, yet, but the 6-6, 298-pounder remains an important depth piece at an offensive tackle position that lacks depth.

Devontae Armstrong, r-Fr.: Much like his brother, Devontae remains a developmental piece for the Buckeyes down the road. Unlike his brother, Devontae is a guard at Ohio State, but he shares the physical tools at 6-5 and 303 pounds.

Jake Cook, Fr.: Cook, a former Louisville commit, chose the Buckeyes last summer after a camp in Columbus. He got a spring in with the Buckeyes and is in a battle with Armstrong for a backup spot at left guard.

Gabe VanSickle, r-Fr.: The Michigan native and four-star recruit is another depth piece who I’d slot in as the backup right guard for now, so this preseason camp is crucial for him.

Carter Lowe, Fr.: The Toledo native was the big addition to the 2025 class. The four-star prospect and No. 11 tackle in the class, Lowe was a must-get for the Buckeyes and projects to be a starter later in his career.

Jayvon McFadden, Fr.: The Maryland native is in the early developmental stages of his career. He was the top-rated offensive lineman in Maryland but is slotted in as the third-string guard for right now. A good camp could see him push VanSickle and add depth there.

Justin Terry, r-Fr.: Terry is another West Virginia transfer, but unlike Donaldson, he didn’t play a snap last season or this spring. He’ll be a tackle when he debuts in the summer.

(Top photo of James Peoples and Julian Sayin:  Adam Cairns / Columbus Dispatch / USA Today Network)

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