What to Know About the Ohio State Buckeyes for 2025

USA Today

2 days ago

The Ohio State Buckeyes finally made it over the hump in the Ryan Day era. It was much more bumpy of a ride than they expected, but they got it done after the expanded 12-team CFP gave them new life. Heading into 2025, there are several new faces on both sides of the ball, but ever loftier expectations after a seemingly bizarre regular season but a stellar postseason. Questions still remain for the team and Ryan Day: can he finally beat Michigan on his fifth try? Can Julian Sayin pick up where Will Howard left off as a full-time starter? Will new defensive stars emerge? All those questions were rendered moot with that championship victory, but may rear their ugly head again should they go unanswered this fall. Here is a look in on how the Buckeyes are shaping up for a pivotal 2025 season.
2024 in Review
As expected, the Buckeyes were a juggernaut in both non-conference and Big Ten play. However, their road to the College Football Playoff wasn't all sunshine and lollipops. Two seemingly inexplicable losses, one to Oregon where Will Howard completely lost control of the clock, and the most bizarre of all, to that Team Up North in one of their worst seasons in recent memory. In fact, it was so embarrassing not just because of who it was, but because of who they were missing. Both Will Johnson and Mason Graham were limited in this game, and yet they could only muster 10 measly points, while Michigan's putrid offense did just enough to squeeze by.
Nevertheless, a 10-2 Ohio State was certainly good enough for a CFP bid, and given a second life, they seized their opportunity. With wins over Tennessee, a resounding revenge game against Oregon, and a tense affair against Texas, Ohio State emerged from the weirdness of the regular season as champions, vanquishing a pesky Notre Dame squad and thus perhaps completing the hardest path of any team in the first-ever 12-team CFP.
2025 will look mightily different, however. There is still no margin for error, as they have only completed one of their goals: winning a title. Losing to Michigan for a fifth time in the Ryan Day era will be inexcusable, though, and could see this team have a whole new look to it come 2026.
Head Coach Profile
It's safe to say that Ryan Day has a more positive light shining on him after a championship victory. The question must be asked even so: how much of that came from the redemption a 12-team CFP gave him and his squad? After all, while a 70-10 overall record as the Buckeyes' adds some gloss to his resume as the best among active head coaches, four of those losses now are to That Team Up North. Imagine the uproar in Columbus if a fifth defeat occurs.
Therefore, Day's continued ascension among active head coaches will not necessarily be easy. It's not his fault that one game as Ohio State's head coach takes precedence over other head coaches and their rivalries. It just means more for the Buckeyes when this consistent losing starts to become inexplicable and inexcusable. Day's got the chip under his belt. A win over Michigan would do him a world of good. A loss and despite his championship pedigree, we could see a new face helming the Buckeyes in 2025. It's that serious for Ryan Day.
Top Offensive Player
I'm sure you don't need me to tell you who this player is. The resume in just one season in Columbus should tell you all enough. As soon as he stepped foot in the Shoe, Jeremiah Smith became yet another electrifying receiver in the annals of Ohio State history. Forget about the records. The way he achieved them was bedazzling and spectacular. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that Cris Carter's freshman records aren't the only ones he will be breaking in his Ohio State career. And with two years of eligibility left, those records could certainly fall sooner rather than later.
The only concern anyone could have for Smith is if his rapport with Julian Sayin is wholly different than the one he established with the experience of Will Howard. Sayin is undeniably talented, but he could have a contrasting agenda entirely from what Will Howard bought to the table. In a season where Ohio State can start to rely on more weapons, look for Sayin to incorporate as many components of the offense as possible. While it certainly doesn't seem as if that would be to Smith's detriment, it is the only way I can see his meteoric rise as the best receiver in teh country being slowed.
Top Defensive Player
Ohio State fans must be super happy that Caleb Downs transferred in. He has been an absolute revelation on the back end for the Buckeyes and much like Smith, he is not going anywhere. The unanimous All-American can do it all, most famously returning a punt 79 yards last year in a victory over then No. 15 Indiana. It's his big plays on the biggest stages that separate Downs from his teammates. A season-high in tackles against the Ducks in the regular season and against Notre Dame in the championship game. A pivotal interception against Texas in the semifinal. No other player on the Buckeyes defense meant more than it mattered than Downs.
Now the question is can he be a leader for the new faces in this defense. New starters will abound galore and it will be a player like Downs who has to make sure they adjust not only well, but to championship standards. Anything less, and this group can underwhelm. From the jump, Downs must be locked in not just for himself but for the sake of the squad. His play must elevate those around him and he certainly has the traits to do it.
2025 Schedule Preview
The schedulers weren't kind in the slightest when they were looking at Ohio State. If the Buckeyes go undefeated this season, it will almost certainly be earned through grit and perseverance. The first team to roll into Columbus will be a red hot Longhorns squad that will be wanting sweet revenge after the events of last year and will be riding the hype of Arch Manning. Ryan Day will have to have this green players ready for battle immediately or else Ohio State could stumble right out of the gate.
Nonetheless, that non-conference showdown is nothing compared to the Big Ten gauntlet they face. Illinois is no slouch in Week 6 and has the experience to stun the Buckeyes at home. The game that everyone could be circling however, is their Week 8 matchup at home against Penn State. James Franklin, Drew Allar and Co, will be looking for their marquee win to prove that they are the undisputed kings of the Big Ten. The Buckeyes will be looking to prove otherwise, but they may not have the benefit of experience and depth on their side this time around. Home field advantage may be all that the Buckeyes can lean on in this encounter. And of course, leave it to the schedule to have The Game at the end of the season loom over their heads all year long.
Overall, while it will be tough, should the Buckeyes emerge undefeated somehow, they would certainly make the case for best overall resume. However, nothing is given to you in this sport, and new faces in the squad have to willing to take it. Anything short of the three goals laid forth for any Buckeyes team: a win over Michigan, a Big Ten title, and a championship: and the thoughts of 2024 will soon fade as quickly as Ryan Day's job will. The Buckeyes and their fans want it no other way.