COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Ohio State begins spring workouts Monday as the Buckeyes try to win back-to-back national championships for the first time in program history.
The 2025 squad will look much different than the one that hoisted the trophy in Atlanta back in January. Gone are offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, plus loads of players on both sides of the line of scrimmage who expect to hear their names called at next month’s NFL Draft.
Once again, all eyes will be on the quarterback competition. Julian Sayin appears to be the frontrunner, but Lincoln Kienholz and incoming freshman Tavien St. Clair will challenge for reps. Devin Brown and Air Noland have found new homes at California and South Carolina, respectively.
There are big shoes to fill in the backfield as well, following the departures of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. Bo Jackson, a four-star player from Cleveland, has gotten tons of hype as an incoming freshman, but he’ll battle with James Peoples, C.J. Donaldson and Sam Williams-Dixon for reps. As the Buckeyes showed last year, having two healthy stars at running back can produce great results.
One area where there is some returning stability is in the wide receiver room. Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss will be one of the country’s most talented and dangerous trios. Every year seems to bring a new breakout star from this group; look for either Mylan Graham or Bryson Rodgers to be that guy in 2025.
Purdue tight end Max Klare will be one of the most impactful transfers in college football this season. He’ll lead a deep group that includes Bennett Christian, Jelani Thurman and Will Kacmarek, each of whom made contributions in 2024.
The offensive line collectively was the unsung hero of the championship run. Two starters went down with season-ending injuries, forcing backups into action as well as some guys moving to new positions. The patchwork unit developed chemistry practically overnight and helped the offense average 36 points per game against four playoff teams.
Returning from that group are guards Luke Montgomery and Tegre Tshabola and center Carson Hinzman. Should they take steps forward this season and stay healthy, the interior will be in good shape. There is less certainty at the tackle positions, however. Transfers Ethian Onianwa and Phillip Daniels probably head in to the spring atop the depth charts at left and right tackle, respectively. Onianwa was a three-year starter at Rice and Daniels, a Cincinnati native who grew up rooting for OSU, started several games for Minnesota last season.
Familiar names return on defense as well, but there will be some significant gaps to fill. The 2024 front line of ends J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, plus tackles Ty Hamilton and Tyleik Williams, all are gone.
Not to worry, however. There are plenty of returnees who rotated in and saw plenty of action last year. Kenyatta Jackson and Caden Curry finally will get their chances to be the regular starters. They will be pushed, however, by C.J. Hicks, who will move from linebacker to an edge position.
Eddrick Houston, a prized recruit in the 2024 class, could start on the interior next to Kayden McDonald, who begins his third season with the Buckeyes.
Sonny Styles, who moved from safety to linebacker last year, will lead the linebacker group, with Arvell Reese expected to stepped into a starting role. Four-star Riley Pettijohn could be an impactful true freshman at either of the linebacker positions.
The secondary likely will be the strength of the defense under new coordinator Matt Patricia. Caleb Downs returns at safety and will be one of the best defensive players in the country. Davison Igbinosun, who transferred from Ole Miss before the 2023 season, returns for his third year in Columbus. He, Jermaine Mathews and Lorenzo Styles Jr. will lead a deep cornerback group, with plenty of reps going to second-year player Bryce West and true freshman Devin Sanchez, who had offers from just about every major program in the country.
The Buckeyes have eight practice sessions scheduled for March and seven in April. The workouts will culminate April 12 not with the traditional spring game, but with what the program is calling a “Spring Showcase.”