Now that we are past spring ball and the 2026 NFL draft, it feels like a good time to see where things land with a projected two-deep depth chart for the Ohio State football team. It’s no easy task with 51 new players in the program, but we did get to see some reps and hear some guys start to make a name for themselves during the spring, so what we thought we knew after the transfer portal closed is much different now.
In fact, what we project and predict now will also most likely change once we hit fall camp and begin to see some more things after a summer of conditioning and development behind the scenes. But, as always, we’re game to give it a try.
We’re going to start with the offensive side of the ball as we almost always do first, and then we will pivot to the defense and special teams after that. Here’s a look at a projected Ohio State football depth chart post-spring.
Ohio State football projected two-deep depth chart on offense
Quarterback
Starter: Julian Sayin
Backup: Tavien St. Clair
This is, of course, Sayin’s job. A year of development for a guy who was a Heisman finalist already should make the offense that much more dangerous. All indications are that he’s got better command and leadership, so let’s hope that translates to the field. Tavien St. Clair is the heir apparent and will undoubtedly be the No. 2 guy and perhaps the next future starter under center in Columbus.
Running Back
Starter: Bo Jackson
Backup: Isaiah West
We didn’t get to see much here in the spring because of injuries, but Bo Jackson is a no-brainer as the starter, with West likely the No. 2 guy. What remains to be seen is how the coaching staff utilizes the dangerous Legend Bey and how the experience of Florida transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson fits in. We’ll need to see more in the fall to get a better feel.
Receiver
Starters: Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss, Chris Henry Jr.
Backups: Devin McCuin, Kyle Parker, Brock Boyd
Look for Ohio State to go deeper into a rotation this year than in past years because of the depth and playmaking ability, but Smith and Inniss are clear-cut guys to start. From there, it’ll get interesting on who grabs the other starting spot. The trend in college football is to go older with more experience, and Ryan Day has echoed that, but we’re making the call for the 5-star Henry to grab that final spot based on his black stripe being removed so early. Any one of the three others, McCuin, Parker, and Boyd, could grab that third spot, however. Look for them all to play and look for a heated competition for that third starting spot.
Tight End
Starter: Nate Roberts
Backups: Mason Williams
Roberts was utilized as a fullback mostly last season, but he has always been looked at as the future at the tight end position, and the spring showed that he has the confidence of the coaches. Williams, the transfer from Ohio, looks to be a clear-cut No. 2 right now, but we’ll see how that plays out in the fall with Bennett Christian and another transfer, Hunter Welcing, being a part of the mix.
Offensive Line
Starters: Ian Moore (left tackle), Luke Montgomery (left guard), Carson Hinzman (center), Austin Siereveld (right guard), Phillip Daniels (right tackle)
Backups: Sam Greer (left tackle), Jake Cook (left guard), Josh Padilla (center), Gabe VanSickle (right guard), Carter Lowe (right tackle)
Ohio State elected to go with the experience it had coming back rather than dip into the transfer portal, so we’re going to lean on the guys that have been there before. The problem is that this was a M.A.S.H. unit in the spring, so there wasn’t much to glean from what we saw. The thought is to get the best five out there, so look for Ian Moore to grab the left tackle and have things shift around a bit. This could all change, and Josh Padilla and Gabe VanSickle are also going to make a push for breaking into that top five. We’ll likely see something different, though, when Game 1 rolls around.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State football 2026 post-spring projected depth chart on offense