The Buckeye 20: Right Tackle Phillip Daniels Ranked 18th As He Looks to Build On First Year As Starter

Dan Hope — Tuesday, August 18, 2026 - 10:10

As we count down the days to Ohio State’s 2026 season opener, we’re unveiling the year’s first Buckeye 20 – Eleven Warriors’ season-long ranking of Ohio State’s top 20 football players, as selected by a panel of 11W staffers – with a daily reveal of Ohio State’s best players entering the 2026 season from No. 20 to No. 1.

After starting with a pair of five-star freshmen – nickelback Jay Timmons (No. 20) and wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. (No. 19) – the countdown continues at No. 18 with a more experienced player, albeit one who still enters the season with plenty to prove: Right tackle Phillip Daniels.

Scouting Report

The Buckeye 20, Preseason 2026
Rank	Pos	Player	Class
20	CB	JAY TIMMONS	FR
19	WR	CHRIS HENRY JR.	FR
18	RT	PHILLIP DANIELS	SR

A mauler in the run game, Daniels plays with the fiery edge all coaches want from their offensive linemen. Harnessing that mean streak and playing with consistent technique remains an area where Daniels must improve, as he committed six penalties and allowed 19 quarterback pressures last season, per Pro Football Focus. Daniels still earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2025, and at 6-foot-5, 312 pounds, with plus athleticism for his size, he has the tools to be one of college football’s best right tackles if he can become a more polished pass protector.

Why He’s Ranked 18th

With 18 days to go until the season opener, it remains unconfirmed whether Daniels will keep his job as Ohio State’s starting right tackle, as he’s competing with Ian Moore and Joshua Padilla for the last two starting spots on the Buckeyes’ offensive line. That said, it would still come as a surprise if Daniels isn’t a starter after he started 13 games for the Buckeyes last season, and he’s one of eight returning Ohio State starters who made an All-Big Ten team last year.

Whether he improves in the passing game will determine whether he climbs these rankings or falls out of the top 20 as the year progresses, but his experience and run-blocking ability could make him a big asset to Arthur Smith’s offense as the Buckeyes look to do more damage with their rushing attack this season.

What They’re Saying

“I think they're playing with a lot of confidence right now. They just came off that field feeling really good just about where they're at, the work that they're putting in, they’re communicating at a high level.”– Ryan Day on Ohio State’s offensive line after last Saturday’s scrimmage

2026 Season Preview: Ranking Ohio State’s 12 Regular-Season Games from Easiest to Most Difficult

Dan Hope — Tuesday, August 18, 2026 - 08:35

As you’ve probably heard by now, Ohio State has one of college football’s toughest schedules entering the 2026 season.

Half of Ohio State’s 12 regular-season opponents are ranked in the preseason AP Top 25: Oregon (No. 2), Texas (No. 5), Indiana (No. 6), USC (No. 14), Michigan (No. 16) and Iowa (No. 22). The Buckeyes will travel more miles away from home than they have in all but one previous regular season, as they’ll face the Longhorns, Hoosiers, Trojans, Hawkeyes and Nebraska Cornhuskers in a 4,422-mile road schedule.

With that in mind, I surveyed a panel of six Eleven Warriors staffers to rank Ohio State’s 12 regular-season games in terms of difficulty. Each staffer was asked to rank the 12 games in order from the games they’re most confident Ohio State will win to the games they’re most concerned the Buckeyes will lose.

Based on the averages of those rankings, here’s how the schedule stacks up from Ohio State’s easiest game to its most difficult.

1. Ball State (Sept. 5, Home)

Average Ranking: 1.33
High Rank: 1
Low Rank: 2

2. Kent State (Sept. 19, Home)

Average Ranking: 1.67
High Rank: 1
Low Rank: 2

Everyone agrees that Ohio State’s non-conference home games against Ball State and Kent State will be the Buckeyes’ two easiest wins of the year. Both MAC teams should be completely overmatched in Ohio Stadium; both of them are projected to be among the 10 worst teams in the FBS this year (Kent State 129th, Ball State 133rd) in ESPN’s preseason SP+ rankings. Anything but two blowout wins that are comfortably settled by halftime would be disappointing.

3. Maryland (Oct. 10, Home)

Average Ranking: 3.17
High Rank: 3
Low Rank: 4

Nearly everyone on our staff agreed that Maryland will be the easiest Big Ten win of the season for the Buckeyes. Perhaps it wouldn’t be seen as such an easy victory if the game were in September, as the Terrapins are 19-3 in games played before Oct. 1 over the last five years, but just 9-29 in October and November.

4. Northwestern (Nov. 14, Home)

Average Rank: 3.83
High Rank: 3
Low Rank: 4

The additions of Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator and Aidan Chiles at quarterback make Northwestern as interesting as it’s been in a long time entering the 2026 season, but there’s still a huge talent gap between the Buckeyes and Wildcats. Add in the fact that this game will be played in the Shoe rather than at the new Ryan Field, and this should be Ohio State’s easiest win of November.

5. Illinois (Sept. 26, Home)

Average Rank: 5.17
High Rank: 5
Low Rank: 6

This is where the difficulty starts to ramp up for the Buckeyes. Illinois, which received nine votes in the preseason AP poll, could easily be a top-25 team when it comes to the Shoe for both teams’ Big Ten opener if it takes care of business in non-conference play against UAB, Duke and Southern Illinois. But the Buckeyes have won by an average of 29.5 points in their last six meetings with the Fighting Illini, and the first big-ish game of the season at Ohio Stadium should draw a raucous crowd that propels OSU to victory.

6. Nebraska (Nov. 21, Away)

Average Rank: 5.83
High Rank: 5
Low Rank: 6

The Eleven Warriors staff unanimously agreed that the trip to Lincoln will be Ohio State’s easiest road game this season, but nearly everyone also agreed that it will be the Buckeyes’ toughest game against a team that isn’t currently ranked. Nebraska Memorial Stadium isn’t an easy place to play – Nebraska has sold out 410 straight games – and this one falls in the dreaded “trap game” slot before the Buckeyes host Michigan. But it’s been a long time since the once-mighty Cornhuskers have beaten a team of Ohio State’s caliber, so it would still be a big surprise if the Buckeyes lost this one.

7. Iowa (Oct. 3, Away)

Average Rank: 7.33
High Rank: 7
Low Rank: 8

Buckeye fans don’t need to be reminded what happened last time Ohio State played at Kinnick Stadium. That was nine years ago, but Kinnick’s reputation as a dangerous road venue lives on, and Kirk Ferentz’s squad is expected to be the same gritty bunch that it always is this year. On paper, Ohio State should win this game, but Iowa’s defense and offensive line are both good enough to give the Buckeyes problems and Jeremy Hecklinski just might be the passer Iowa fans have been waiting eons for. This is a game the Buckeyes definitely can’t overlook.

8. Michigan (Nov. 28, Home)

Average Rank: 7.83
High Rank: 7
Low Rank: 9

The Game will never be just another game. Ohio State got the upper hand back in the rivalry with its 27-9 win in Ann Arbor last season, but the Wolverines’ four-year win streak before that is reason enough to cement this as one of Ohio State’s five toughest games of the year.

The Wolverines aren’t as good on paper as the four teams below them on this list, and they need Bryce Underwood to take a huge step forward in his sophomore season, but new coach Kyle Whittingham’s teams consistently played above their raw talent at Utah. Add in the rivalry game pressure, and this is easily one of Ohio State’s two toughest home games this season.

Ohio State beat Michigan last year, but The Game can never be overlooked as one of Ohio State’s toughest tests of the season.

9. USC (Oct. 31, Away)

Average Rank: 8.83
High Rank: 8
Low Rank: 9

USC was undefeated at home last season, and the Big Ten’s non-West Coast teams went just 3-11 in road games in their trips to the Pacific Time Zone last season. Ohio State earned one of those wins, but USC is a more dangerous opponent than Washington.

Led by the Big Ten’s 2025 passing leader, Jayden Maiava, USC’s offense could be one of the best the Buckeyes face all year. The Trojans still haven’t won many big games under Lincoln Riley, however, and the Buckeyes will have the benefit of an extra week to prepare during their only bye week of the season.

10. Indiana (Oct. 17, Away)

Average Rank: 10.17
High Rank: 10
Low Rank: 11

It was only a couple of years ago that Indiana was perennially ranked as one of Ohio State’s easiest conference games of the season. Now, the Eleven Warriors staff unanimously agrees that the Buckeyes’ trip to Bloomington will be one of their three toughest games of the year. The defending national champions beat Ohio State last year, and it’s no hyperbole to say this will be the most anticipated football game ever played in Bloomington.

While Ohio State seemed to overlook Indiana a bit entering last year’s Big Ten Championship Game, there’s no chance they’ll make that mistake again with revenge on their minds. Still, Curt Cignetti’s squad is expected to be one of the nation’s best once again, and ghosts of Michigans past have demonstrated the risk that the Hoosiers could get in the Buckeyes’ heads and beat them again if they get off to a strong start.

11. Oregon (Nov. 7, Home)

Average Rank: 11.17
High Rank: 10
Low Rank: 11

If all games were played on neutral fields, this would rank as the toughest game of the season. Oregon is ranked just behind Ohio State as the No. 2 team in both major polls, and the Ducks fit the model of the Big Ten’s last three national champions with a veteran-heavy squad led by a potential No. 1 overall pick at quarterback and a star-studded defensive line.

Home-field advantage and the aforementioned challenges of cross-country travel favor the Buckeyes in this matchup, and an anticipated 3:30 p.m. kickoff – perhaps paired with a black-out or scarlet-out? – with most of the second half played under the lights could generate the loudest crowd in the Shoe all season. On the field, though, Oregon is squarely in the conversation to be the nation’s best team this year, making this the potential game of the year in college football.

12. Texas (Sept. 12, Away)

Average Rank: 12
High Rank: 12
Low Rank: 12

There was only one ranking that everyone on staff agreed on: Ohio State’s Week 2 road trip to Texas will be the Buckeyes’ toughest game of the regular season.

Ohio State has two wins over Texas in the last two years, including an epic College Football Playoff semifinal victory in the Longhorns’ home state two seasons ago, and the Buckeyes won their only previous trip to Austin 20 years ago. That said, Arch Manning, Cam Coleman and the Longhorns’ offense will present a massive early test for an Ohio State defense with eight new starters, and Colin Simmons and the Longhorns’ defensive line will be the first big test of the year for an Ohio State offensive line looking to bounce back from a nightmarish end to last season.

As such, Ohio State’s trip to Texas is viewed as the Buckeyes’ most likely loss of the year – and an opportunity for the Buckeyes to make a massive early-season statement if they win it.

Skull Session: Ohio State’s 2026 Roster Cost Over $40 Million, Jay Timmons is the Buckeyes’ Best-Kept Secret (For Now) and Ryan Day Says Connor Hawkins “Has Done a Good Job” in Camp

Chase Brown — Tuesday, August 18, 2026 - 04:55

Welcome to the Skull Session.

Fun fact: Ohio State has a 13-10-3 all-time record against Oberlin College.

Another fun fact: If the Buckeyes and Yeomen faced off in 2026, Ohio State would be at least a 148-point favorite.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SP+ TOP 771

Ohio State -148 Oberlin
LSU -133 Centenary
Miami -129 Fort Lauderdale
Montana State -11 UTEP
Ferris State -4.5 Ball State
New England College -2.5 Maine Maritime

Full 2026 spreadsheet later this week. And THEN THE SEASON CAN START. pic.twitter.com/1GXnJ9CyUz
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) August 17, 2026

A lot can change in 104 years.

Have a good Tuesday.

URGENT WARNING. If you recently purchased a Horns Down shirt from Eleven Warriors, don’t wear it at the Ohio State-Texas game, or Longhorn fans will tear it off of you!

URGENT WARNING

To all #OhioState fans traveling to #Texas: Do NOT wear a Horns Down shirt. It will be torn from your body. pic.twitter.com/ht7a4ASbXB
— Message Board Geniuses (@BoardGeniuses) August 15, 2026

Ooooooh, I’m so scared!

MORE THAN $40 MILLION?! Remember when Ross Bjork made headlines before the 2024 season when he said Ohio State’s roster cost $20 million? Two years later, the Buckeyes have doubled that total along with six other schools, according to CBS Sports’ Chris Hummer and John Talty.

This month, Hummer and Talty talked with a dozen sources to pinpoint the most expensive rosters in the sport. Here are the 12 that have price tags starting in the upper $30 million range.

More than $40 million

LSU
Miami
Notre Dame
Ohio State
Oregon
Texas
Texas A&M

Right off the $40 million line

Georgia
Michigan
Ole Miss
Tennessee
USC

And here’s what Hummer and Talty wrote about Ohio State’s spending:

The Buckeyes made waves in their national championship-winning 2024 season when athletic director Ross Bjork publicly admitted to a $20 million roster. That may have been a shrewd maneuver as multiple sources at the time thought the true number was more like $30 million.

Bjork's bill has only gone up since then with a stacked roster that includes quarterback Julian Sayin, receiver Jeremiah Smith and defensive lineman Kenyatta Jackson Jr.

Smith, an all-world receiver who will be a top NFL draft pick next year, could be the highest-paid player in college football. Multiple industry sources believe his 2026 compensation is in the neighborhood of eight figures. Smith himself has claimed he turned down a $10 million offer to transfer elsewhere this offseason.

"They lost a ton," says a Big Ten general manager, "but I think their offense is going to be ridiculous."

I think this list is mostly accurate, though I find it hard to believe Texas Tech isn’t on it considering how much money Cody Campbell has pumped into that program over the past two years.

Nevertheless, Ohio State’s presence is no surprise, even if it’s still a little wild to see college football teams spending more than $40 million to build rosters capable of winning a national championship.

As I’ve always said, it’s not simply about how much money you spend on a roster. It’s about how that roster comes together and whether a coaching staff can turn all that talent into hardware.

There’s a big difference between 2022 Texas A&M and 2024 Ohio State. One team imploded as Jimbo Fisher failed to get a bunch of young players on the same page. The other succeeded because Ryan Day brought together a bunch of veterans, along with a special 18-year-old, around one common goal.

The coach who does the best job of getting his players to play for something bigger than themselves this fall will be the one who wins a national championship.

Day has done it before. I’d like to think he can do it again.

“A KNACK FOR THE GAME.” Methinks Ryan Day wants to keep five-star freshman cornerback Jay Timmons a secret for as long as possible.

Here’s Day when asked to share what’s stood out about five-star freshman wide receiver Chris Henry Jr.:

“Been very encouraged. I thought he came in, even took significant strides in the summer and then came in with a different approach even in the spring. I thought he did a nice job in the spring. When you go through 15 practices, the winter program, you’re coming off your senior year, you’re supposed to be going to prom, there’s a lot going on there. Then you go through the summer, it’s like, now he’s not a freshman anymore, and he doesn’t look that way. He’s made a lot of plays. He’s learning the offense well. He’s buying into special teams. He’s playing physical. I’m excited to see where this goes for him.”

And here’s Day when asked what’s stood out about Timmons:

“His ability to make plays. He’s super competitive. He’s edgy. He just has a knack for the game, and he’s got really good instincts.”

That’s it.

That’s the entire quote.

But don’t let Day’s brevity fool you.

Ohio State’s coaches are plenty high on Timmons.

In one of my many trips to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center this month, an Ohio State staffer told me no one expected Timmons to be this good this soon. Timmons lacks size at 5-foot-11, 191 pounds, but he more than makes up for it with his instincts and intelligence. He has a nose for the football, and he’s been all over the place during preseason camp. And now, it wouldn’t surprise me if Timmons starts at nickel against Ball State.

Maybe Day really is trying to keep him a secret. Maybe not. But if Timmons keeps making plays in practice, he won’t stay one for long. And, frankly, I wouldn’t mind one bit if he establishes himself as a name to know for Ohio State as soon as the Buckeyes start the season.

“CONNOR HAS DONE A GOOD JOB.” I think we scared some people when we reported that Baylor transfer kicker Connor Hawkins didn’t look too good during the Buckeyes’ third practice of the preseason.

We reported what we saw: Hawkins missed a few kicks as the team debuted its kicking operation. Then all hell broke loose on social media as fans convinced themselves a kicker would ruin yet another chance for Ohio State to win a national title.

While I cannot guarantee Ohio State’s kicking game will deliver when it matters most this fall, I felt encouraged by what Ryan Day had to say Saturday about Hawkins’ performance in camp and his ability to rise to the occasion in pressure-packed moments.

“Connor has done a good job. He made a couple of nice kicks for us (in Saturday’s practice) in some pressure spots that we want to challenge him with, and we’ll continue to do that throughout camp,” Day said. “I think the consistency with the snap and the hold and the kick has been good, but now we just got to put him in these situations in practice where there’s a lot of pressure and see how he responds. His past would tell you that he will respond well, and we’ve seen that so far in practice.”

Day’s comments make it sound like Hawkins has settled in well over the past few weeks, making that third practice look more like an early blip than a sign of what’s to come as the Buckeyes barrel toward the season.

For a moment, I wondered if Notre Dame transfer Marcello Diomede might challenge Hawkins for the starting job. Based on Day’s comments, though, it sounds like Diomede is more likely to carve out a role as Ohio State’s kickoff specialist and long-distance field-goal option.

“Marcello has a really strong leg, and so it gives us an opportunity to have somebody to help with the kickoffs and also long field goals at times,” Day said. “Still early in camp, but that’s what he brings, a really strong leg to the table.”

We’ll see what becomes of Hawkins this fall. To be honest, I’m not too concerned about what happens in practice. Jayden Fielding had ice in his veins at the Woody, but the yips seemed to follow him everywhere else. Hawkins had a bad practice when we were there to see it, and I don’t know what’s happened since. Day says Hawkins has been good, and I believe him. But none of it really matters until Hawkins puts three points on the board for the Buckeyes in a game that matters.

SONG OF THE DAY. "OK, It's Alright With Me" - Eric Hutchinson.

CUT TO THE CHASE. Rest in peace, Sheryl Yoast: Hayden Panettiere dies at 36... Corgis run, bark and sniff their way to glory at a growing international race... Jeanie Buss out as Buss family sells last stake in Lakers... Nate Bargatze just broke a huge stand-up comedy record... Penn State students accused of running drug ring out of off-campus fraternities

Ohio State Ranked No. 1 in Preseason AP Poll For The First Time Since 2015

Lyle Alenstein — Monday, August 17, 2026 - 12:03

Ohio State is ranked No. 1 in both major polls to start the 2026 season.

Following up on its No. 1 ranking in the preseason Coaches Poll, the Buckeyes are also the No. 1 team in the nation in the preseason AP poll. It’s the first time the Buckeyes have started the season No. 1 in either ranking since 2015.

Ryan Day's program notched the most first-place votes with 40. Oregon (14), Indiana (8), Notre Dame (6) and Miami (1) – but no SEC schools – also received first-place votes.

Ohio State has six ranked opponents on its regular-season schedule: Oregon (2), Texas (5), Indiana (6), USC (14), Michigan (16) and Iowa (22).

Other Big Ten schools in the top 25 are Washington (17) and Penn State (18). Illinois received nine votes and Minnesota received five.

Preseason AP Top 25
Rank	Team	Points
1	Ohio State	1,672 (40)
2	Oregon	1,597 (14)
3	Georgia	1,513
4	Notre Dame	1,510 (6)
5	Texas	1,483
6	Indiana	1,440 (8)
7	Miami (FL)	1,379 (1)
8	Texas A&M	1,131
9	Ole Miss	1,102
10	Oklahoma	1,047
11	LSU	988
12	Texas Tech	983
13	Alabama	904
14	BYU	839
14	USC	839
16	Michigan	718
17	Washington	501
18	Penn State	482
19	SMU	434
20	Tennessee	394
21	Utah	304
22	Iowa	260
23	Houston	252
24	Louisville	194
25	Missouri	117

Coming off of a 24-14 loss to Miami in the Cotton Bowl, Ohio State starts its road back to the College Football Playoff with a Week 1 matchup against Ball State.

Then, the gauntlet begins for the Buckeyes, traveling to Austin, Texas, for a Saturday night showdown against the Longhorns. Ohio State defeated Texas 14-7 at The Shoe last year, and beat the Longhorns 28-14 the year before in the Cotton Bowl en route to a national championship.

Following the highly anticipated road tilt, Ohio State will return home to face Kent State and Illinois. The Buckeyes will then travel to Iowa City to face the Hawkeyes for the first time since 2017. The last trip to Kinnick Stadium resulted in a 55-24 blowout in favor of Iowa.

Ohio State will return to Columbus for an ensuing clash with Maryland, before hitting the road to face the reigning national champions. The last time the Buckeyes played Indiana, it was a 13-10 loss in the Big Ten championship a year ago.

After the bye week, Ohio State will hit the skies and fly to Los Angeles for a Halloween matchup against USC. The next week will be another test against a ranked foe, as Oregon comes to town, where the Ducks will be hungry as the last contest in 2025 was a 41-21 drubbing in favor of the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl.

The 2026 regular season concludes with a home game against Northwestern, where offensive coordinator Chip Kelly makes his return to Ohio Stadium after the 2024 national title, a road game against Nebraska and then back home for the 122nd installment of The Game, which will no longer be Senior Day. Last year, Ohio State snapped its four-year skid against Michigan with a 27-9 victory on the road.

2026 Season Preview: The 10 Biggest Questions Surrounding Ohio State

Lyle Alenstein — Monday, August 17, 2026 - 10:08

Ohio State enters the year once again with large expectations, being viewed as one of, if not the top team in the country.

Despite the high aspirations, Ohio State still has questions ahead of the season opener against Ball State.

Here are 10 questions for the Buckeyes entering the 2026 season.

Can Julian Sayin take the next step?

The talent from Julian Sayin is undeniable, coming off of a year where he tallied 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions, with his 77% completion percentage being good for best in the nation.

Now, asking if he can take the next step is an interesting one, considering he was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy last year.

He’s made strides as a leader, on the field and physically, and also has a new offensive coordinator.

Sayin has all the tools, resources and personal hunger to get better as a player, but the real measuring stick here will be how far he can take this team as a leader and propel the offense.

What will Arthur Smith’s offense look like?

The nature of Arthur Smith’s offense during his time in the NFL has revolved around getting his best players the ball, notably Derrick Henry on the Tennessee Titans and Drake London on the Atlanta Falcons.

But the one thing about his offenses is that for the most part, his best offensive player hasn’t been a perimeter wideout, and certainly not one that’s the best overall player in his respective league like Jeremiah Smith.

Additionally, Smith loves pounding the rock in the run game and running multi-tight end personnel, so Bo Jackson and Isaiah West could see a ton of touches, but also tight ends like Nate Roberts, Mason Williams and Hunter Welcing could see big roles even if it’s not as pass-catchers.

There are lots of questions as to how the scheme and playbook will ultimately look and how Smith plans to roll out his personnel, but ultimately the biggest benefit of bringing him on board is for Sayin, as Smith has a track record of working with NFL quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Matt Ryan.

Can Matt Patricia replace eight starters again?

He had the same challenge last year, but Matt Patricia is once again tasked with replacing eight starters on defense for a unit ranked No. 1 a season ago.

While he’s proven he can do it, filling the void left by Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Kayden McDonald, Davison Igbinosun, Cayden Curry, Tywone Malone Jr. and Lorenzo Styles Jr. is no easy task.

There are plenty of candidates to slot in for the aforementioned departures, but not every replacement can meet the starter's exact role from a year ago. And for those that don’t have an exact 1-for-1 replacement, multiple players will be expected to make up for that loss of production.

Patricia made that clear, as he plans to use more depth than he did a year ago to concoct a defensive plan that matches the talent of the defense.

Which WR will step up next to Jeremiah Smith?

The answer to this question can be multiple guys, as Ohio State needs a No. 2 receiver with Carnell Tate off to the NFL.

UTSA transfer Devin McCuin has had a strong fall camp. Brandon Inniss is a veteran who has seen the most amount of time besides Jeremiah Smith. There’s a pair of freshmen in Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd who have drawn rave reviews since arriving in January.

McCuin is an intriguing one based on what has been shown since early August and his ability to go from competing with American Athletic Conference cornerbacks to those in Ohio State’s room. Inniss is hungry to contribute after waiting his turn and so far not living up to his high school recruiting hype. Henry and Boyd haven’t played a collegiate snap, but the staff believes they can make an immediate impact.

There are plenty of options to choose from, and if two guys make up for the production of Tate, it’ll somewhat be a win. On the other hand, new wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton didn’t get the job knowing he needs to find two guys to replicate production — he needs to coach someone to match the standard it takes to play wideout at Ohio State.

What is the starting offensive line?

Ryan Day had hoped to name his starting offensive line on Saturday, but a minor injury to Austin Siereveld prevented that from happening. Siereveld is slated to return this week.

Despite that injury, Day has expressed confidence in the depth in the unit, and previously mentioned after the first day of fall camp that Ohio State is mixing and matching personnel.

Below are the groups we’ve seen during camp, with the top one presumably the favorite.

LT Ian Moore, LG Luke Montgomery, C Carson Hinzman, RG Austin Siereveld, RT Phillip Daniels
LT Austin Siereveld, LG Luke Montgomery, C Carson Hinzman, RG Joshua Padilla, RT Phillip Daniels
LT Austin Siereveld, LG Luke Montgomery, C Carson Hinzman, RG Joshua Padilla, RT Ian Moore

Will Devin Sanchez be elite?

Replacing Igbinosun isn’t easy, but if anybody believes he can do it, it’s Devin Sanchez.

The confidence that oozes out of Sanchez is evident, as he has set high aspirations for himself this year after seeing an inconsistent role in his freshman year.

And he’s not shying away from it, making it clear he’s got a hit list of opposing wide receivers he wants to guard in Cam Coleman from Texas, Indiana’s Charlie Becker and Oregon’s Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart.

He’s already been pencilled in as a starter next to Jermaine Mathews Jr., so there are high expectations for Sanchez. If he proves to be elite, the secondary and defense will get a huge boost.

Who will start next to Kenyatta Jackson Jr. at DE?

Kenyatta Jackson Jr. is a lock to start at defensive end, but the player opposite him is still up in the air.

Somebody needs to replace Curry, and the projected favorite is Beau Atkinson, who was in consideration for the starting job a year ago after he transferred from North Carolina. He’s been seeing most of the work during fall camp with the ones alongside Jackson.

Alabama transfer Qua Russaw is certainly going to see a role, but as he outlined, it’ll be more of a standup pass rusher/outside linebacker role.

Other names to monitor are sophomores Zion Grady and Epi Sitanilei and freshman Khary Wilder, who recently shed his black stripe.

What freshmen see a role?

The first name that comes to mind is Jay Timmons, a five-star who is projected to start at nickel cornerback.

After that, it’ll be a pair of freshmen at wide receiver in five-star Henry and three-star Boyd, both of whom removed their black stripe in the spring. Henry Jr. seems more ready to go at the moment, but Boyd has also spent time with the first-team offense.

Legend Bey is another name that has repeatedly come up in camp. He’s still learning the running back position after playing quarterback in high school, but his explosiveness and playmaking ability has drawn rave reviews from Day.

Wilder is a name to watch on the defensive line. Cincere Johnson could push for a role as a depth piece at linebacker, but there’s a quartet of guys ahead of him in Payton Pierce, Christian Alliegro, Riley Pettijohn and TJ Alford that’ll make it challenging.

During his presser today, Ryan Day said 5-star WR Chris Henry Jr. is “not a freshman anymore.”

“He’s made a lot of plays. He’s learned the offense well. He’s buying into special teams. He’s playing physical. Yeah, I’m excited to see where this goes for him.” pic.twitter.com/MlfISpVWAZ
— Lyle Alenstein (@LAlenstein) August 15, 2026

Will there be an uptick in yards after the catch for the WRs?

That’s been a big point of emphasis for Ohio State’s wide receivers this offseason since Cortez Hankton took over as wide receivers coach.

Day, Inniss and Sayin have been asked about it during camp, and both noted that there is a need for improvement in the yards after catch area.

The Ohio State receiver room is notoriously one of the strongest, if not the strongest position on the team, so if there’s room for growth, it immediately puts Hankton to the test in his first year coaching the group.

So far, the goal for the wideouts has been to work on turning downfield after they catch the ball in stride. When Sayin was asked about the need for more yards after catch, he said part of it falls on him as he needs to make sure his passes put the wide receivers in a position for them to have space to operate after catching the pass.

Is the kicker problem solved?

Ohio State fans were happy to move on from Jayden Fielding after being plagued with some costly misses during his tenure as the starting kicker. In turn, the Buckeyes brought in a pair of kickers from the transfer portal in Baylor’s Connor Hawkins and Marcello Diomede from Notre Dame.

Day said Saturday that Hawkins made kicks during the Buckeyes’ scrimmage in pressure situations, while he’s been impressed with the strength of Diomede’s leg. Based on Day’s comments, and the experience of each, Hawkins is the favorite to be the starting kicker while Diomede can handle the duties of a kickoff specialist.

Hawkins was a preseason selection for the Lou Groza Award watch list, and went 18-for-22 on field goals last year, including 3-for-4 from kicks greater than 50 yards. But now he has to prove it while kicking for a program where expectations are higher than anyone else.

Ryan Day said Baylor transfer kicker Connor Hawkins “has done a good job” during preseason camp.

“We just got to go put him in these situations in practice where there’s a lot of pressure and see how he responds,” Day said. “His past would tell you that he will respond well.” pic.twitter.com/lczIDQ2hRe
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) August 15, 2026

The Buckeye 20: Five-Star Freshman Wide Receiver Chris Henry Jr. Debuts at No. 19

Dan Hope — Monday, August 17, 2026 - 08:35

After starting the countdown with Jay Timmons at No. 20, the countdown continues at No. 19 with another five-star freshman: Wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., the highest-ranked player in Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class, who enters his first year as a Buckeye with expectations of being the next superstar in Zone 6.

Scouting Report

The Buckeye 20, Preseason 2026
Rank	Pos	Player	Class
20	CB	JAY TIMMONS	FR
19	WR	CHRIS HENRY JR.	FR

At 6-foot-5 and 211 pounds with excellent speed for his size, strong hands and elite ability to make contested catches, Henry is a prototypical X receiver who will be a matchup nightmare on the outside. The son of late former Cincinnati Bengals wideout Chris Henry, Henry Jr. will be a major target in the red zone for the Buckeyes, while his height and explosiveness could soon make him one of the most dangerous deep threats in college football.

Why He’s Ranked 19th

Henry might not be an immediate starter for Ohio State, but all indications are that he will still be a big part of the Buckeyes’ receiver rotation right away. He has the highest ceiling of any Buckeye wideout not named Jeremiah Smith, and putting Henry on the field with Smith could be a lethal combination. He still has to prove himself at the collegiate level, but if his four-catch, 96-yard spring game performance was any indication, he could quickly emerge as one of Ohio State’s top offensive weapons.

What They’re Saying

“He's made a lot of plays. He's learning the offense well. He's buying into special teams. He's playing physical. I'm excited to see where this goes for him.”– Ryan Day

Skull Session: Tempo is Dead in Modern College Football, Five Ohio State Players Make CBS Sports’ Top 150 in 2026 and Four Future Buckeyes Are Preseason High School All-Americans

Chase Brown — Monday, August 17, 2026 - 04:55

Welcome to the Skull Session.

Give it up for Football Weather.

Football Weather pic.twitter.com/CYaKo2Wizl
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 15, 2026

(I don’t like Football Weather. Not this kind of Football Weather, anyway. There’s been too much rain in Columbus. And it’s too humid. I’d like it to be crisp outside, please.)

Have a good Monday.

NOT QUITE MY TEMPO. Tempo is dead in modern college football.

That’s what Ryan Day believes — and so do other prominent coaches.

According to Ohio State’s national-champion head coach, teams no longer seek speed but efficiency. Clock rule changes and longer seasons have led to slower tempos, with coaches playing more like the tortoise than the hare.

The Buckeyes set the pace (ba dum tss) in that area last year. It worked well for them in the regular season. Slower tempo helped Day masterfully navigate a season full of potential landmines with a new quarterback in Julian Sayin. Ohio State went 12-0, snapped its four-game losing streak against Michigan and made its first appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game since 2020.

But on a cold December night in Indianapolis — and later, on a surprisingly cold night in Dallas — Ohio State’s inability to turn up the gas cost the Buckeyes a Big Ten title and a trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals.

In an interview with ESPN’s Bill Connelly last week, Day reflected on Ohio State’s offensive philosophy last season and indicated Buckeye fans should expect to see a similar play style in 2026.

“It comes down to efficiency,” Day said. “I remember back when we used to run no-huddle all the time, and (mentor Chip Kelly) and I used to always talk about, ‘When you’re running 85 plays, you don’t have to be efficient because you get 85 calls.’ It was all signal-based. You didn’t have coach-to-player communication, and the seasons were shorter. Now, seasons are longer, roster-building is different, maybe we’re not going to have as much depth as we used to have. All those things come into play.”

The Buckeyes won’t be the only team embracing a slower pace of play this fall. Connelly shared statistics showing that college football has slowed over the past 11 seasons.

SEASON	SECONDS/PLAY	PLAYS/GAME	DRIVES/GAME	PTS/DRIVE	OFF PTS/GAME
2015	25.1	71.5	13.1	2.11	27.8
2016	25.1	71.5	13.1	2.18	28.4
2017	25.7	70.0	12.9	2.11	27.1
2018	25.7	70.3	12.8	2.18	27.9
2019	26.0	69.3	12.5	2.20	27.6
2020	25.8	69.8	12.4	2.23	27.8
2021	26.2	68.7	12.2	2.22	27.0
2022	26.2	68.7	12.3	2.19	27.0
2023	26.9	66.9	12.1	2.19	26.4
2024	26.9	66.8	11.9	2.24	26.6
2025	26.9	67.0	11.7	2.24	26.2
DATA FROM ESPN'S BILL CONNELLY

Like Day, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian sees where the sport is headed.

"Games have become shorter, there's less possessions, there's less plays, and you've got to maximize your opportunities," Sarkisian said. "It's very similar to an NFL-style game right now. The clock is running more, people are huddling more, and so you're not seeing teams running 100 plays anymore, 105 plays. That era of college football has passed, and we've shifted now.

"You're seeing teams run 50 plays, 55 plays, and so you better be efficient when you have your opportunities."

Ohio State and Texas will be in no rush this season. Neither will Miami.

"There's going to be some games where you want to play keep away and you want to take a little bit of air out of the ball, and make sure that you limit the number of possessions," Miami coach Mario Cristobal told ESPN. "There's a way to beat everybody, right? That happened to be a slugfest: Two teams, a lot of high-level players, really physical."

That’s the new reality of college football: It’s not necessarily about playing fast. It’s about making the most of the plays you get.

The Buckeyes got ahead of the curve last season. Day recognized where the sport was headed and built Ohio State around efficiency, ball control and maximizing possessions. The theory was sound. The execution just wasn’t good enough when the Buckeyes needed it most.

Indiana and Miami showed what that philosophy can look like when everything clicks. Both teams made the most of limited possessions and rode that formula all the way to the national championship game.

Ohio State now has the benefit of seeing that formula work at the highest level. The Buckeyes don’t need to reinvent their approach in 2026. They need to execute it better — and, if they can, turn a philosophy that once helped them navigate the regular season into the formula that takes them all the way.

THE BEST OF THE BEST. Ohio State landed five players on CBS Sports’ top 150 college football players entering the 2026 season.

Jeremiah Smith claimed the No. 1 spot for the second year in a row. The “unicorn who could have gone straight from high school to the NFL” was the clear-cut top player ahead of Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore.

No. 1 - Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

Generational talent is an overused term but Smith is a unicorn who could have gone straight from high school to the NFL. Over the last three years I have at times run out of things to say about the best receiving prospect I have ever evaluated. Smith was my preseason No. 1 player last year as well.

Rare talents like Smith don't come around often and he has the ability to take over the game every time he touches the football. Exceptional length and speed and the ability to run through defenders after the catch. His presence on the field opens up for teammates to make plays and when he gets his shots he delivers. If his willingness to consistently block improves, then he becomes the best prospect I've ever watched, regardless of position.

Texas defensive end Colin Simmons, LSU offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy, Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker complete the top 10. Nine spots further down the list is Ohio State’s second representative, Julian Sayin.

No. 19 - Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

Sayin has a pretty great gig throwing to some of the nation's best receivers, and he made the most of it in his first season as Ohio State's starter. He completed 77% of his passes with 32 touchdowns against just eight interceptions while showing poise under pressure and excellent touch down the field. With Arthur Smith expected to give him even more freedom at the line of scrimmage, there's only one piece of advice left: throw it to Jeremiah Smith as often as possible.

Ohio State landed three more players in the top 150: running back Bo Jackson at No. 75, linebacker Christian Alliegro at No. 87 and offensive lineman Austin Siereveld at No. 105.

No. 75 - Bo Jackson, RB, Ohio State

Jackson enjoyed an outstanding freshman season, averaging more than six yards per carry while rushing for nearly 1,100 yards. More than 700 of those yards came after contact, highlighting his combination of power and balance. Jackson does most of his damage between the tackles but has enough speed to bounce runs outside, producing 36 explosive plays. Surrounded by elite talent, he should be in position for an even bigger 2026.

No. 87 - Christian Alliegro, LB, Wisconsin/Ohio State

The former Wisconsin linebacker has the size and physicality to help replace two first-round linebackers on Ohio State's defense. Alliegro excels in the box, overpowers running backs and tight ends, and has enough range to make plays when the ball spills outside. Tough, dependable and physical, he should become an immediate contributor for the Buckeyes.

No. 105 - Austin Siereveld, OL, Ohio State

Siereveld is a consistent lineman who brings tenacity every week. He plays with sound technique in both phases, has the footwork to recover in protection and understands the small details that matter in the run game. Siereveld is not the most athletic left tackle I have watched, but he plays with toughness and the right mentality. A move inside to guard could benefit both him and Ohio State.

I could be wearing scarlet-colored glasses, but I feel like some Buckeyes were snubbed from this list, beginning with Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman and Jaylen McClain. Montgomery and Hinzman project as two of the best interior offensive linemen in college football this season, while McClain has been one of the leaders of the notorious BIA all offseason.

And while I’m thinking about it, where are the Juniors, Kenyatta Jackson and Earl Little? Both of them are Dudes who belong among the top 150 players in the sport.

But oh well. No harm. No foul.

The Buckeyes who were spurned will have plenty of chances to prove their worth this fall, with Ohio State facing some of the nation’s best teams throughout the season — including three straight against Indiana, USC and Oregon.

We'll see soon enough who really belonged on the list.

ALSO THE BEST OF THE BEST. Four future Buckeyes were also recognized among the best players in high school football, as USA TODAY Sports named five-star defensive end DJ Jacobs, four-star defensive end Wyatt Smith, four-star linebacker Quinton Cypher and four-star offensive tackle Caden Moss preseason high school All-Americans entering the 2026 season.

I wrote a little more about each of them below.

Five-star defensive end DJ Jacobs

Jacobs is the No. 1 edge rusher and No. 3 overall prospect in the 2027 class. The Roswell, Georgia, native committed to Ohio State on Dec. 29, 2025, after a junior season in which he recorded 102 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 16 sacks and two forced fumbles in 14 games. He returns to Blessed Trinity Catholic this school year fully committed to the Buckeyes — despite what Tennessee fans will tell you on social media.

Four-star defensive end Wyatt Smith

Smith hails from St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the same school that produced Ohio State greats Joey and Nick Bosa. The son of former Missouri and NFL defensive lineman Justin Smith, Wyatt recorded 155 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 15 games as a junior.

Four-star linebacker Quinton Cypher

Cypher looks like he could be the lead guitarist in an old-school rock band, but remember: Looks can be deceiving. A standout at Millbrook in Raleigh, North Carolina, Cypher finished his junior season with 181 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, five pass breakups, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles in 14 games.

Four-star offensive tackle Caden Moss

Moss is one of Ohio State’s most recent commitments in the 2027 class, joining three-star wide receiver Jordan Donahoo, five-star defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou and four-star defensive tackle Karlos May. A two-time MaxPreps All-American, Moss will enter his third season as the starting left tackle at Jackson Academy in Mississippi in 2026.

JUMPMAN, JUMPMAN, JUMPMAN. Folks, I have to share another look at this catch from Garrett Wilson on Friday. I know it was in warmups for a preseason game that nobody cares about (unless you’re a diehard fan of the Buccaneers or the J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets!), but this grab was just absurd:

Garrett Wilson makes a RIDICULOUS catch in pregame warmups pic.twitter.com/dk5QfkqFKC
— SNY Jets (@snyjets) August 14, 2026

pic.twitter.com/jhaHIU8EUQ
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 14, 2026

Wilson looked like a real-life Jumpman logo.

He’s good. He’s very good.

SONG OF THE DAY. "Life In The City" - The Lumineers.

CUT TO THE CHASE. Scottie Scheffler opens PGA Tour postseason with 8-shot victory... Photos show the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest in California... Most wrote off Navy in college football’s new era. They might see them in the CFP instead... "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" becomes one of the only films ever to gross $2 billion... Tommy John, pitching great known for surgery that bears his name, has died at 83.

Ohio State's Defensive Tackle Group Has New Faces, But They Remain “Hungry And Willing To Make Plays”

Lyle Alenstein — Sunday, August 16, 2026 - 13:17

Larry Johnson and Matt Patricia are tasked with finding two new starters to replace Kayden McDonald and Tywone Malone Jr. at defensive tackle this season.

And at least to begin the season, there will be a handful of guys rotating in as they sort out what the room will look like.

"I think it'll be committee early on. I do," Patricia said Thursday. "I really think, especially as we kind of work through the season and gain experience by those guys, and certainly from early in the year, you kind of try to build those reps up as you get ready for the long haul. So committee would be great."

The interior of Ohio State’s defensive line only returns three players from a year ago: Eddrick Houston, Will Smith Jr. and Jason Moore.

As far as new additions to the defensive tackle spot, the Buckeyes added three from the transfer portal in Alabama transfer James Smith, UCF transfer John Walker and Bowling Green walk-on transfer Ashton Yeager. They also brought in a quartet of freshmen – four-star Damari Simeon, four-star Emmanuel Ruffin, three-star Darryus McKinley and three-star Jamir Perez.

Despite this, Ohio State’s new defensive tackles feel like there wasn't much of an acclimation process. As James Smith put it on Thursday, "everybody's trying to drink the Kool-Aid."

"We all got something we need to be working on every day and night," Smith added. "So you gotta constantly remind each other, 'we gotta get better at this, we gotta get better at that.' But the next thing, don't let each other get in our head and just stack days. Remind yourself, stack a day on top of that. Get better at something today."

The defensive tackle room is expected to be led by Houston, Walker, James Smith and Will Smith Jr., with all four seeing playing time in the rotation, while Moore has also drawn praise for his development this offseason.

Starting center Carson Hinzman said on Wednesday the defensive tackle group is "awesome" and making the offensive line better.

"I always tell them, 'If you guys wanna really be my buddy, go and thrash some centers for me. I'd really appreciate that.' It's important for us to build that iron sharpens iron mentality. Because they're getting me just as much better (as) I hope I'm getting them," Hinzman said.

Regardless of what the rotation shakes out to be, there's an expectation that the unit will make an impact. Patricia hit on that importance ahead of his second year as a defensive coordinator, mentioning the roles defensive tackles had when he was the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.

"It's really hard to replace really good players in the middle of the defense. I do believe that," Patricia said. "I believe it's important to be strong in the middle of the defense, and certainly coming from my background at New England and having guys, like, whether it was Keith Traylor or Vince Wilfork or any of those guys, Ted Washington back in the day. I mean, those are some big boys rolling through there."

While the defensive tackle unit consists of new faces for the most part, the mentality of the group is the same — cause fits on the interior.

"We got a bunch of guys that are hungry and willing to make plays and do whatever to cause havoc on the inside," Walker said Thursday.

The Buckeye 20: Jay Timmons Debuts at No. 20 Amid Offseason Surge for Starting Nickel Job

Dan Hope — Sunday, August 16, 2026 - 08:35

With 20 days to go until Ohio State’s season opener, we’re counting down the Buckeyes’ top 20 football players entering the 2026 season in the year’s first edition of The Buckeye 20.

A panel of eight Eleven Warriors staffers voted on Ohio State’s 20 best players entering the season, and we’ll reveal each of those players from No. 20 to No. 1 over the next 20 days through the final day of the offseason before the Buckeyes begin their 2026 campaign against Ball State on Sept. 5.

The countdown starts with a true freshman who’s drawn considerable buzz this offseason amid his emergence as the frontrunner to start at nickel for the Buckeyes: Jay Timmons.

Scouting Report

A five-star recruit ranked as the No. 25 overall prospect in the 2026 class, Timmons is an instinctive, quick and physical cornerback who’s quickly demonstrated in his first offseason as a Buckeye that he’s ready to make an immediate impact at the collegiate level. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 191 pounds, Timmons will start his Ohio State career playing slot cornerback, though his coverage skills and athleticism could enable him to move to outside cornerback later in his career.

Why He’s Ranked 20th

As a true freshman who didn’t even play in the spring game, Timmons’ selection as one of Ohio State’s top 20 players entering the season is based entirely on what he’s expected to be rather than anything he’s proved in collegiate game action. That said, expectations inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center are growing by the day that Timmons will not only start this season but be an impact player for the defense. If his performance in practice translates to Saturdays this fall, he could quickly rise into the middle of the rankings.

What They’re Saying

“He's super competitive. He's edgy. He just has a knack for the game, and he's got really good instincts.”– Ryan Day on Jay Timmons

Luke Fahey “Putting a Lot of Pressure” on Tavien St. Clair in Ohio State’s Backup Quarterback Competition

Lyle Alenstein — Saturday, August 15, 2026 - 16:20

Tavien St. Clair isn't having the backup quarterback job handed to him.

Freshman Luke Fahey, who shed his black stripe following Saturday's scrimmage, has thrown his name in the ring for the No. 2 spot on the quarterback depth chart behind Julian Sayin.

"He's been really doing a great job. He's putting a lot of pressure on Tavien," Ryan Day said after practice Saturday. "He really is. He's been competing. He's been making plays."

With Saturday’s black stripe removal, Fahey became the third-fastest quarterback to lose his black stripe under Day behind only Sayin (April 8, 2024) and Kyle McCord (Aug. 12, 2021). Fahey had his stripe removed faster than St. Clair, C.J. Stroud, Air Noland, Lincoln Kienholz, Devin Brown and Jack Miller. Quinn Ewers is also on that list, never erasing his black stripe before transferring to Texas after one semester.

Fastest Freshman Quarterbacks to Shed Black Stripe Under Ryan Day
Season	Date	Player
2024	April 8, 2024	Julian Sayin
2021	August 12, 2021	Kyle McCord
2026	August 15, 2026	Luke Fahey
2024	September 25, 2024	Air Noland
2023	September 28, 2023	Lincoln Kienholz
2022	October 6, 2022	Devin Brown
2025	October 7, 2025	Tavien St. Clair
2020	October 21, 2020	C.J. Stroud
2020	October 21, 2020	Jack Miller
2021	N/A	Quinn Ewers

"We'll see how he grades out. (Quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler) grades everything," Day said. "So, that's been exciting to see him come in with a certain work ethic, run the offense at a pretty high level."

The backup quarterback spot is up for grabs, as Kienholz held that role a year ago, and has since transferred to Louisville where he projects to start.

St. Clair, a five-star recruit who was ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect in the 2025 class, is the frontrunner for the job after he was the No. 3 QB last year. But Fahey, who was a three-star prospect out of Mission Viejo High School in California, isn't going down without a fight.

"We'll see how the rest of the camp plays out, but good to see him kind of step in and push Tavien," Day said.

Day hasn’t announced a timeline for naming a backup quarterback, whether that’s before the season or if he allows the competition to continue into the early stages of the 2026 campaign, but his comments indicate that Fahey has made it more of a competition than originally anticipated.

“I always had in the back of my mind, like, if I ever got the opportunity to play (for Ohio State), that I would always take full advantage of that opportunity,” Fahey told Eleven Warriors after his commitment. “When I got the offer, I feel like when I went home and everything, it was kind of like a no-brainer for me, just because again, I grew up a huge fan, and it's kind of like everything that they have at that school, it's all positive, and it's a great opportunity for definitely a quarterback to go and pursue his dreams there and further his football career and a great academic career.”

The Buckeye 20: Right Tackle Phillip Daniels Ranked 18th As He Looks to Build On First Year As Starter

Scouting Report

Why He’s Ranked 18th

What They’re Saying

2026 Season Preview: Ranking Ohio State’s 12 Regular-Season Games from Easiest to Most Difficult

1. Ball State (Sept. 5, Home)

2. Kent State (Sept. 19, Home)

3. Maryland (Oct. 10, Home)

4. Northwestern (Nov. 14, Home)

5. Illinois (Sept. 26, Home)

6. Nebraska (Nov. 21, Away)

7. Iowa (Oct. 3, Away)

8. Michigan (Nov. 28, Home)

9. USC (Oct. 31, Away)

10. Indiana (Oct. 17, Away)

11. Oregon (Nov. 7, Home)

12. Texas (Sept. 12, Away)

Skull Session: Ohio State’s 2026 Roster Cost Over $40 Million, Jay Timmons is the Buckeyes’ Best-Kept Secret (For Now) and Ryan Day Says Connor Hawkins “Has Done a Good Job” in Camp

More than $40 million

Right off the $40 million line

Ohio State Ranked No. 1 in Preseason AP Poll For The First Time Since 2015

2026 Season Preview: The 10 Biggest Questions Surrounding Ohio State

Can Julian Sayin take the next step?

Julian Sayin “Doesn't Feel Like a Young Player” Ahead of Second Year As Starter with Leadership, On-Field and Physical Strides

What will Arthur Smith’s offense look like?

Can Matt Patricia replace eight starters again?

Which WR will step up next to Jeremiah Smith?

What is the starting offensive line?

Minor Injury for Austin Siereveld Delays Decision on Ohio State’s Starting Offensive Line

Will Devin Sanchez be elite?

Who will start next to Kenyatta Jackson Jr. at DE?

What freshmen see a role?

Will there be an uptick in yards after the catch for the WRs?

Ohio State’s Passing Game Had a YAC Problem in 2025 – And Fixing It Could Define the Buckeyes’ Offense in 2026

Is the kicker problem solved?

The Buckeye 20: Five-Star Freshman Wide Receiver Chris Henry Jr. Debuts at No. 19

Scouting Report

Why He’s Ranked 19th

What They’re Saying

Skull Session: Tempo is Dead in Modern College Football, Five Ohio State Players Make CBS Sports’ Top 150 in 2026 and Four Future Buckeyes Are Preseason High School All-Americans

No. 1 - Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

No. 19 - Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

No. 75 - Bo Jackson, RB, Ohio State

No. 87 - Christian Alliegro, LB, Wisconsin/Ohio State

No. 105 - Austin Siereveld, OL, Ohio State

Five-star defensive end DJ Jacobs

Four-star defensive end Wyatt Smith

Four-star linebacker Quinton Cypher

Four-star offensive tackle Caden Moss

Ohio State's Defensive Tackle Group Has New Faces, But They Remain “Hungry And Willing To Make Plays”

The Buckeye 20: Jay Timmons Debuts at No. 20 Amid Offseason Surge for Starting Nickel Job

Scouting Report

Why He’s Ranked 20th

What They’re Saying

Luke Fahey “Putting a Lot of Pressure” on Tavien St. Clair in Ohio State’s Backup Quarterback Competition