Updated Friday, September 4, 2026, ahead of the Ball State opener. Ohio State does not publish a depth chart before its first game, so this is the projected three deep based on preseason camp reporting. It is updated once the official chart is out and after every game.
No. 1 Ohio State returns Heisman finalist Julian Sayin, the best receiver in the country in Jeremiah Smith, and four starting offensive linemen. The other side of the ball is the story: eight defensive starters are gone, eight defensive transfers came in, and new coordinator Matt Patricia is starting a true freshman at nickel.
Offense
| Position | Starter | Backup | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Julian Sayin | Tavien St. Clair | Luke Fahey |
| RB | Bo Jackson | Isaiah West | Legend Bey, Ja’Kobi Jackson |
| WR (X) | Jeremiah Smith | Chris Henry Jr. | Jerquaden Guilford |
| WR (Z) | Devin McCuin | Brock Boyd | Phillip Bell |
| WR (Slot) | Brandon Inniss | Kyle Parker | De’zie Jones |
| TE | Nate Roberts | Mason Williams | Bennett Christian, Hunter Welcing |
| LT | Ian Moore | Carter Lowe | Sam Greer |
| LG | Luke Montgomery | Jake Cook | Maxwell Riley |
| C | Carson Hinzman | Joshua Padilla | Mason Wilhelm |
| RG | Austin Siereveld | Gabe VanSickle | Landry Brede |
| RT | Phillip Daniels | Deontae Armstrong | Vasean Washington |
Defense
| Position | Starter | Backup | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE | Kenyatta Jackson Jr. | Zion Grady | Khary Wilder |
| DE | Beau Atkinson | Qua Russaw | Epi Sitanilei |
| DT (3 tech) | Eddrick Houston | James Smith | Damari Simeon |
| NT | John Walker | Will Smith Jr. | Jason Moore |
| MLB | Payton Pierce | TJ Alford | Cincere Johnson |
| WLB | Christian Alliegro | Riley Pettijohn | Garrett Stover |
| CB | Devin Sanchez | Cam Calhoun | Jordan Thomas |
| CB | Jermaine Mathews Jr. | Dominick Kelly | Brenten Jones |
| Nickel | Jay Timmons (Fr.) | Simeon Caldwell | Miles Lockhart |
| FS | Jaylen McClain | Leroy Roker III | Khmari Bing |
| SS | Earl Little Jr. | Terry Moore | Blaine Bradford |
Special Teams
| K | Connor Hawkins (Baylor transfer, 18 of 22 in 2025); Marcello Diomede on kickoffs |
| P | Joe McGuire (3rd year starter); Brady Young backup |
| LS | Dalton Riggs; Brody Jenkins backup |
| KR | Legend Bey (named by Day for Week 1); Brandon Inniss |
| PR | Brandon Inniss; Brock Boyd |
Position Breakdown
Quarterback. Sayin is the only returning Heisman finalist in the country. The backup job is a live competition: five star sophomore Tavien St. Clair has held it, but Day said twice in the final week of camp that freshman Luke Fahey is pushing him.
Running back. Bo Jackson (1,090 yards as a freshman) is the starter with Isaiah West taking a starter’s share. The name to watch is Legend Bey, the freshman Jeremiah Smith called a future Heisman winner; he is the No. 3 back and Day named him the Week 1 kick returner.
Receiver. Smith, UTSA transfer Devin McCuin and Brandon Inniss start, but Day said the Buckeyes could play six receivers. Freshmen Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd are the first two off the bench. Kyle Parker missed most of camp injured.
Tight end. Nate Roberts has the receiving upside; Mason Williams and Bennett Christian are the blockers and will play plenty in multi tight end sets under new coordinator Arthur Smith. Northwestern transfer Hunter Welcing starts the year fourth.
Offensive line. Ian Moore takes over at left tackle and Austin Siereveld slides from tackle to right guard so the Buckeyes can keep Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman and Phillip Daniels in place. Joshua Padilla is the first interior reserve. Day called it the deepest line he has had at Ohio State.
Defensive line. Kenyatta Jackson Jr. leads the ends with Beau Atkinson opposite him in four man fronts and Qua Russaw as the standup rusher. Inside, Eddrick Houston, UCF transfer John Walker, James Smith and Will Smith Jr. will all play similar snaps.
Linebacker. Payton Pierce, the leading vote getter for captain, wears the green dot. Christian Alliegro starts at Will but Riley Pettijohn is close enough to rotate, and both have been rushing off the edge in practice.
Secondary. Devin Sanchez and Jermaine Mathews Jr. at corner, with transfers Dominick Kelly and Cam Calhoun behind them. Freshman Jay Timmons won the nickel job outright, which moved Florida State transfer Earl Little Jr. to safety next to Jaylen McClain; the two of them are replacing Caleb Downs.
The Bottom Line
Ohio State’s offense is the most settled in the country. The defense is eight new starters and a freshman nickel, all breaking in together against Ball State before the trip to Texas next week. The schedule is on our Ohio State schedule and the opener is previewed at Ball State vs. Ohio State. This page is updated after every game.