Ohio State's NFL Draft exodus has left a gaping hole in the program, but the Buckeyes are not without hope. With 11 players drafted in the recent NFL Draft, the question on everyone's mind is: How prepared is Ohio State to replace these key contributors? The answer, as we've learned so far, is a mix of promising depth and areas that need significant improvement. Here's a deep dive into the state of Ohio State's position groups and the challenges they face in the aftermath of the NFL Draft.
Quarterbacks: A Stable Foundation
The quarterback room remains relatively stable, with Julian Sayin as the starter and Tavien St. Clair as the backup. Sayin's Heisman Trophy finalist performance in his first year as the starter gives the Buckeyes a solid foundation. His ability to use his legs, as evidenced by his scramble for a touchdown in the spring game, is a welcome development. St. Clair, meanwhile, has shown progress, catching up to the speed of the game and displaying a strong arm and mobility. While there's still room for improvement, the potential is evident, and the depth chart is well-rounded with the addition of Maryland transfer Justyn Martin and freshman Luke Fahey.
Running Backs: Uncertainty Persists
The running back position faces uncertainty, with projected top backs Bo Jackson and Isaiah West missing the entire spring due to surgeries. However, Florida transfer Ja'Kobi Jackson showed promise, moving well in the hole and displaying the ability to be a strong red zone and short-yardage back. With Legend Bey also missing time, the Buckeyes will need to rely on Jackson and other young talent to fill the void.
Wide Receivers: A Deep and Versatile Group
The receiving corps is deeper than expected, with five or six players capable of contributing. Superstar Jeremiah Smith is locked into a starting position, and Brandon Inniss is expected to start as well. UTSA transfer Devin McCuin and LSU transfer Kyle Parker also showed promise, with Chris Henry Jr. emerging as the most impressive freshman with four catches for 96 yards and a touchdown in the spring game. While the Buckeyes won't be able to replace No. 4 NFL Draft pick Carnell Tate with just one player, the depth at this position is a major plus.
Offensive Line: A Question Mark
The offensive line remains a question mark, with injuries a major issue in the spring. Second-year tackle Carter Lowe had a rough outing, and the unit struggled in the scrimmage. The best group is still Ian Moore at left tackle, Luke Montgomery at left guard, Carson Hinzman at center, Austin Siereveld at right guard, and Phillip Daniels at right tackle. However, there's a lot of work to be done in the preseason to ensure the unit is ready for the season.
Tight Ends: High Potential
Replacing Max Klare and Will Kacmarek, two Day 2 NFL Draft picks, won't be easy, but the Buckeyes have a high-potential tight end leading the group. Sophomore Nate Roberts, a 6-5, 240-pounder with blocking experience, showed off versatility catching passes in the spring. Transfers Hunter Welcing and Mason Williams also performed well, and the unit is bound to take a step back. However, by the end of the year, we could be looking at an elite unit led by Roberts.
Interior Defensive Line: Shining
One of the major surprises of the spring was Will Smith Jr., who got the start at nose tackle and was disruptive throughout the game. The interior defensive line possesses all the tools to be elite again, with Smith and former five-star recruit Eddrick Houston at 3-technique. However, the edge rushers are still growing, with defensive ends hard to evaluate due to offensive line issues.
Linebackers: Depth Showing, Rotation Unknown
Missing Riley Pettijohn for the spring hurt the linebacker corps, which lost top-10 picks Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese. While we don't know the exact rotation, the unit is deep, with Payton Pierce a lock to start and Christian Alliegro versatile enough to play on the edge. However, the ceiling depends on how defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and linebackers coach James Laurinaitis deploy them on Saturdays.
Cornerbacks: A Top-Two Position Group
I'm close to considering the cornerback position group not only the strength of the defense but a top-two position group on the roster. Five-star sophomore Devin Sanchez has all the tools to develop into Ohio State's first All-American corner since Shaun Wade in 2020. Georgia transfer Dominick Kelly provides key depth, and the corner duo of Sanchez and Kelly in the red zone can eliminate jump balls.
Safeties: Settling In
Transfers Jaylen McClain and Duke transfer Terry Moore are settling in at safety, with McClain looking even more locked in than he did a year ago. Florida State transfer Earl Little Jr. is crucial to the secondary, providing the team's nickel in traditional two-linebacker sets if he comes back healthy from a knee procedure. I've been high on this unit since Ohio State added Moore and Little in the portal, and that hasn't changed.
In conclusion, Ohio State faces significant challenges in replacing the 11 NFL Draft picks, but the Buckeyes have promising depth in several position groups. The quarterback room remains stable, the receiving corps is deep and versatile, and the interior defensive line is shining. However, the offensive line, running backs, and edge rushers are areas that need significant improvement. With a mix of experienced veterans and young talent, Ohio State is poised to regroup and make a run at the College Football Playoff once again.
