How Ohio State football's 2025 offense looks, position by position

How Ohio State football’s 2025 offense looks, position by position

Posted by author February 3, 2025 Football

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Most of Ohio State’s 2024 offensive playmakers will be in the NFL next season, leaving several holes.

But those holes haven’t left gaping voids. The Buckeyes generally reload more than they rebuild, and they should have players ready to assume bigger roles next year.

Still, any team that loses the likes of quarterback Will Howard, running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, offensive linemen Donovan Jackson and Josh Fryar, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and tight end Gee Scott Jr. will have major questions.

Here’s a look at how the 2025 Buckeyes could look on offense:

Quarterback

With Howard gone and Devin Brown (Cal) and Air Noland (South Carolina) transferring, Julian Sayin is the favorite to start next year. Sayin was the top-rated quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class. The Buckeyes raved about him last spring, particularly his quick, smooth release.

But playing quarterback for Ryan Day is about more than flinging the ball. The OSU coach wants a fiery leader with physical toughness and the mental toughness to handle hard coaching. Sayin will have to prove he’s up to that responsibility. Can he also be the kind of charismatic leader that Howard was? Howard was a four-year player toughened by his many ups and downs at Kansas State. Sayin is several years younger. He’s also not thought to be the running threat Howard was, though Sayin hasn’t played enough to show how much of a weapon he can be with his legs.

Lincoln Kienholz will have a chance to challenge Sayin for the job. Kienholz’s only extended playing opportunity in his two years as a Buckeye came in the Cotton Bowl at the end of his freshman year. He wasn’t ready for that moment then but has had time to develop. Kienholz is an excellent athlete, so it’d be unwise to count him out, but he is the clear underdog.

The other scholarship quarterback is Tavien St. Clair, the five-star recruit from Bellefontaine. As talented as he is, it’s unlikely he’ll be ready to challenge for the starting job.

Running back

With Henderson and Judkins gone and little-used freshman Sam Williams-Dixon transferring, James Peoples will get his shot to be the top running back. He carried 49 times for 210 yards and two touchdowns as a third-stringer last year after impressing coaches and teammates with his maturity.

There’s a good chance OSU will use a tandem system again this year with the arrival of CJ Donaldson, a 6-2, 238-pound transfer from West Virginia. Donaldson gained 2,058 yards in three seasons for the Mountaineers and ran for 30 touchdowns. He is adept at gaining yards after contact.

Ohio State also has freshmen Bo Jackson, Anthony “Turbo” Rogers and Isaiah West joining the room.

Offensive line

The losses of tackles Donovan Jackson and Josh Fryar will hurt, but this unit proved to be a resilient one in 2024 after injuries forced the Buckeyes to start nine different players on the line. The depth that required should serve the unit well next season.

Figuring out the starters and where they’ll play is a guessing game. The closest thing to a safe bet is that Carson Hinzman will be at center. Hinzman struggled as a starter there in 2023 and was almost a forgotten player until he got his chance against Penn State at guard. He then moved to center when Seth McLaughlin tore his Achilles tendon before the Indiana game and played well throughout the postseason.

Tegra Tshabola started at right guard, with mixed results, in 2024. He is a natural tackle and could move there next year. Austin Siereveld and Luke Montgomery are prime candidates at guard after holding up during the postseason title run. Josh Padilla is a candidate at center if Hinzman is at guard.

Ohio State signed two tackles from the transfer portal – Ethan Onianwa from Rice and Phillip Daniels from Minnesota. Onionwa is considered more of a sure thing because of his experience. He was a three-year starter for Rice and allowed only one sack last season as a left tackle. He played right tackle in his previous two seasons.

Daniels started the last four games for Minnesota in 2024 after injuries hit the offensive line. He allowed only one sack in 300 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

Wide receiver

Yes, the loss of Egbuka will hurt. He was indispensable as a do-everything receiver and leader. But the Buckeyes STILL HAVE JEREMIAH SMITH. And yes, he’ll just be a sophomore. Smith did the almost impossible by living up to the hype as the top-rated player in the 2024 recruiting class. He’ll be the centerpiece of the Ohio State passing game and a Heisman Trophy contender.

But Smith won’t be a one-man show. Carnell Tate thrived as a third receiver last year and should be ready to take on a bigger role. Brandon Inniss flourished in a limited role and should seamlessly fit as a receiver in the mold of Egbuka.

Position coach Brian Hartline has recruited at an almost unprecedented level, so the Buckeyes should have quality depth behind those three. Bryson Rodgers and Mylan Graham are former blue-chip recruits who’ll fight for extended playing time.

Tight end

The departure of Gee Scott Jr. will hurt. Scott was overshadowed, but he was a big contributor during OSU’s stretch run. In 2025, this position could be deeper than in recent memory. Jelani Thurman remains a tantalizing prospect, though his production hasn’t matched his potential. Will Kacmarek returns for a final season after being a productive transfer from Ohio University.

But the reason this group could be special is the addition of Purdue transfer Max Klare. On a bad Boilermakers team, Klare was a bright spot. He led Purdue with 51 receptions, more than double any other Boilermakers receiver. He was a third-team All-Big Ten selection in a year when the conference was loaded with superb tight ends.