Let's take a look at the first two depth charts for Ohio State's plans since the spring. There are still some fights that could change in the summer and some additions to the transfer portal. But for now, this is how I see the depth chart going for Week 1 against Akron.
quarterback
starter: Will Howard
backup: Devin Brown
Another spring down, a new quarterback battle yet to be decided. Like last year, Ohio State ended spring practice without deciding who its quarterback would be. This year, however, Will Howard and Devin Brown will once again be transfers from graduate school. It's been an up-and-down spring for them, and this will likely carry over into summer and fall camp. I'm leaning toward Howard as the starter right now. Because of his experience, pocket presence and vision on the field. However, it will be a close battle. I wouldn't be surprised if it carried into the season.
As for the young trio behind them, if they all stay, Julian Sane will end up being the third quarterback, with Lincoln Kienholtz behind him and Air Noland rounding out the group. right. Currently, Kienholtz appears to be the lead third-stringer, but I expect a signing to take it away before the season starts. How Ryan Day adjusts his in-game personnel in late-game situations will be something to watch this season. All of them require snapshots, but there are limits to what you can take.
even deeper
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run back
starter: treveillon henderson
backup: quintion judkins
The best running back duos in the country are rarely a starter and backup, but the Buckeyes will have to run someone on the first drive of the season. It's going to be Henderson, but don't get confused, this is a common backfield. Judkins and Henderson share carries and are used frequently in this offense, sometimes together. Following them, Ohio State has a talented freshman duo in James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon. The fifth running back in the group is walk-on TC Caffey, who Ohio State raved about this offseason. While the wide receiver group is good, the one I'm most excited about about this season's offense is the running backs.
wide receiver
starter: Emeka Egbuka, Colonel Tate, Jeremiah Smith
backup: Jaden Ballard, Brandon Inniss, Bryson Rodgers
Ohio State won't rebuild at receiver, just reload. Marvin Harrison Jr. is expected to be a top-five pick in Thursday night's draft, but the Buckeyes have as much talent as they could want. It's also set up perfectly. They have a talented leader in Egbuka who knows what it takes to be great on and off the field. And behind him there is a wealth of young talent who will gain great experience this season. Tate, Smith and Inniss are a dream trio and will be a difference maker. Tate is the oldest sophomore and had 18 catches for 264 yards and one touchdown his freshman year. And Innis, another five-star, is ready to join the lineup and is Smith's No. 1 recruit in the country. Mix Ballard, who is finally ready to contribute, and Rodgers, who had a good spring, and you have a very deep room.
tight end
starter: Gee, Scott Jr.
backup: Jelani Thurman, Will Kakmarek
It's still an interesting room. With the departure of Cade Stover, the Buckeyes will have to fill in 597 snaps from his performance a year ago. No one player can replace Stover, but Scott is the leader in this room. Tight ends coach Keenan Bailey talked a lot about depth and the play of multiple players. Ohio State plans to use his set of two tight ends again this season, and often. Depending on the situation, Scott may not be on the field first in some games. Thurman has improved since his freshman year and had a good spring, especially in varsity and 7-on-7. He is a natural pass catcher and could be a threat in the red zone this year. Kakmek has improved steadily since transferring from Ohio University and is expected to be a strong blocker, and if he can also be a reliable pass catcher, that could help cover up a heavy set. Another player to watch is Patrick Gard, who will play fullback role for Mitch Rossi.
left tackle
starter: Josh Simmons
backup: George Fitzpatrick
Simmons is the guy here. Ohio State expects him to make a difference on the field in his one year with the program. He struggled at the beginning of last season, but with the exception of the Cotton Bowl, he improved by the end of the year. He had a good spring. He wasn't perfect – no one is against Ohio State's defensive line – but there was growth. It would be a good thing for Ohio State if Fitzpatrick becomes a strong backup.
left guard
starter: donovan jackson
backup: Enoch Vimahi
Jackson sticks to this unless he is injured. He will be preparing to be drafted this time next year. The question for him will be whether he can make the jump to All-Americans and be a consistent force on Ohio State's left side. Vimahi could be moved before the April 30 deadline, but if he stays he will be Jackson's backup. It would be in Ohio State's best interest for Vimahi to be a contributor who can be named among Ohio State's top 68 linemen. That will help with depth this season and give him more confidence as he steps up to the starter's role next year.
center
starter: Seth McLaughlin
backup: carson hintsman
McLaughlin has had a good spring after transferring from Alabama and will take over this spot for the Buckeyes. He hasn't had any snap issues this spring, but I know some people were concerned about that after watching Alabama's loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl. Hintzman will be a reserve, but I think Hintzman will be a starter as well, as you'll see below.
right guard
starter: carson hintsman
backup: luke montgomery
This is the most competitive position on offense. Montgomery played most of the spring as a starter, but was moved to the second team towards the end, with Hintzman and Tegla Shavola taking first-team reps. Hintzman started the spring game and wasn't perfect, but I think he might be the best answer here with Montgomery backing up. There is still time for changes to be made through the transfer portal.
right tackle
starter: josh frier
backup: Tegla Shavola
Unless Ohio State goes to the portal and makes a tackle, Fryer will be the right tackle instead of the guard. He has improved this spring and should have an even better season this year. Behind him will likely be Shavola, who played guard during the spring, but seems better suited at tackle.
Kayden Curry (92) is part of a strong group of defensive ends at Ohio State University. (Barbara J. Perenick / Columbus Dispatch / USA Today)
defense end
starter: JT Tuimorow, Jack Sawyer
backup: Kayden Curry, Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Mitchell Melton
This group is as good as any domestic group. I think most schools would like to have one of these five on their roster. Instead, they all chose to remain at Ohio State and build an incredibly deep defensive end room. Freshman Edric Houston is also a name to watch and will likely get playing time early this season in hopes of preparing for next year. Melton is the X-factor here. If he can stay healthy, he could have a breakout year. If his body holds up he'll be very good.
defensive tackle
starter: Ty Hamilton, Tyreke Williams
backup: Hero Guan Yu, Jason Moore
Defensive line coaches dream of room like the one Larry Johnson has now. Interline lost Michael Hall Jr. to the draft, but still returns a wealth of talent. Williams is a potential All-American candidate, and Hamilton is an under-the-radar player ready to break onto the national stage. Kanu and Moore, along with Kayden McDonald, had a strong spring practice. This is a really good group and I'm excited for what Ohio State can do up front.
linebacker
starter: Cody Simon, CJ Hicks
backup: Sonny Styles, Gabe Powers
When the season begins, we'll likely see Simon as Mike's linebacker and Hicks as Will's linebacker. Hicks has been really good this spring, but it can be hard to understand just how good he is when linebackers aren't as complex on both sides of the ball in spring practice. However, when Hicks is blitzing or attacking the run, you can see his nose for the ball. Styles is probably the most talented “backup” in the country. He'll likely see the field a lot this year, but that may change from time to time. This is a talented room, although there is little experience other than Simon.
cornerback
starter: Davison Igbinosan, Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock
backup: Jermaine Matthews, Calvin Simpson-Hunt, Lorenzo Stiles Jr.
This room is very very good. Some would argue this is the best position group on the roster. Igbinosan has been great this spring and showed it in the spring game. Burke returns with a chance to improve his draft stock and become an All-American, and Hancock should be an All-Big Ten honoree after being snubbed last year. This is not only the best cornerback's room in the Big Ten, but potentially the best cornerback's room in the country. The entire group returns just one year after helping Ohio State reach the No. 1 spot in pass defense. That includes standout sophomore Matthews, who will be on the field despite the starters above him. Simpson-Hunt and Stiles are at the top of this year's list of second-team reps and will benefit from playing time even in a blowout loss.
safety
starter: Lathan Ransom, Caleb Downs
backup: Malik Hartford, Jaden Bons
This depth chart looks a little different than it did a year ago. Jim Knowles' defense has forever been thought of as a three-safety defense. However, the 4-2-5 scheme means there are five defensive backs on the field, and there is no need to represent a safety at the nickel spot if you have a cornerback talented enough to play. In this case, I'd stick with two safeties, as there's enough talent between Hancock, Stiles, and Matthews to fill the nickel position.
In that case, Ransom and Downs would make up one of the best 1-2 safety combos in the country. Downs is ready to build on his freshman All-American season and looked like the best player on defense during the spring. he is real Ransom needs to stay healthy, but once he returns he will be a big contributor. But given Ransom's health, some depth is needed at the position, and that's where Hartford and Bonsu come in. With Ransom and Jahad Carter missing the spring game with injuries, Bonds held his own, starting alongside Downs. Both were members of the 2023 class, with Hartford a top-100 recruit and Bonds an under-the-radar three-star defensive back. They have a lot of potential, and Ohio State will look to give them playing time this year to develop that. It will be interesting to see if Carter can stay healthy this season and come back strong in camp.
(Top photo: Barbara J. Perenic / Columbus Dispatch / USA Today)
