Early look at Ohio State's chances of repeating as national champs: Could Buckeyes do it?

Early look at Ohio State’s chances of repeating as national champs: Could Buckeyes do it?

Posted by author January 23, 2025 Football

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Ohio State has never repeated as a national champion.

But after winning the College Football Playoff on Monday night, it will attempt the feat next season.

The Buckeyes are in position to reload and maintain one of the more talented rosters in the sport.

2025 College Football Playoff odds

BetMGM has the Buckeyes as early favorites to win the title in 2025, giving them +450 odds, slightly ahead of Georgia and Texas with +650 odds.

Can Ohio State repeat as national champs?

The case for the Buckeyes to capture a second straight title begins with the presence of superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and All-American safety Caleb Downs.

Neither underclassman is eligible to leave early for NFL, providing them with cornerstone players. Smith and Downs could be considered the best players in the nation on their sides of the ball.

Buy Ohio State books, posters, gear from CFP title win

Carnell Tate should continue to complement Smith as another talented playmaking wideout, and Purdue transfer Max Klare arrives as another weapon. Klare’s 51 receptions in 2024 were third among Big Ten tight ends.

But there will be heavy roster attrition. Thirteen of their 22 starters during the playoff were seniors with eligibility expiring.

That includes Will Howard, a seasoned quarterback who spent a year at Ohio State after transferring from Kansas State.

Julian Sayin is likely to take over for Howard and was the top-ranked passer in his high school class, but he is inexperienced and redshirted as a freshman this past season.

How is Ohio State’s 2025 roster shaping up?

The heaviest losses for the Buckeyes are on defense. Eight starters were seniors, cornerback Davison Igbinosun or linebacker Sonny Styles are juniors who are eligible to declare for the NFL draft.

But Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson shined as part of the defensive end rotation and Jermaine Mathews Jr. also gained experience in the playoff when he replaced Denzel Burke for the second half of the semifinal win over Texas.

The injuries on the offensive line also helped to provide experience for interior linemen Carson Hinzman, Luke Montgomery and Austin Siereveld. Transfer tackles Phillip Daniels of Minnesota and Ethan Onianwa of Rice should also help replace Josh Fryar and Donovan Jackson.

The draft decision of running back Quinshon Judkins looms large, though the Buckeyes added experience to the backfield last month with West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson Jr.