Ohio State Buckeyes: 6 things to know about 2025

Head coach Ryan Day’s next goal for the Buckeyes will be to do something none of his predecessors have: Win two in a row.

That will certainly not be easy for multiple reasons, but the biggest is attrition.

Unlike the last two times Ohio State won it all (2002 and ‘14), the majority of the starting lineup will not be back next fall.

Day will also have at least one new assistant coach after the departure of Jim Knowles.

Here is a closer look at what the Buckeyes heading into 2025:

1. They will have to replace a majority of starters.

On offense, the Buckeyes will have two new starting tackles, a new No. 1 tight end, a new No. 1 running back, new quarterback and one new starting receiver.

On defense, seven starters graduated including all four linemen, two safeties, one cornerback and one linebacker, but there are some experienced players who got key time as reserves returning on both sides of the ball.

2. Some big names do return.

Receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate will be the headliners on offense.

Tate might be the No. 1 receiver at just about any other school in the Big Ten, but Smith is likely to be regarded as the top receiver in the nation after a fabulous freshman season in which he caught 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns.

On the other side of the ball, safety Caleb Downs will be a frontrunner for national defensive player of the year honors after serving as the ultimate eraser on that side of the ball last season.

He will be joined by linebacker Sonny Styles, whose athleticism also makes him a versatile weapon, and cornerback Davison Igbinosun, who has proven to be a tough matchup when he can avoid penalties.

3. The lines will be question marks again.

Buckeyes bring back interior linemen Tegra Tshabola, Carson Hinzman, Austin Siereveld and Luke Montgomery on the offensive line.

Tshabola was the starting right guard most of the season while Hinzman stepped in at center in the latter half.

Siereveld started seven games, and Montgomery played extensively in the playoffs, so there is plenty of experience, but none of the returnees are natural tackles.

That means coach Justin Frye might have to get creative in how he forms a new starting lineup.

4. What about the coaching staff?

Then again, Frye might not be around to mold the next Ohio State offensive line.

He was the only coach whose contract expired after the 2024 season, and the Chicago Tribune reported he interviewed with the Chicago Bears for their offensive line coaching position this week.

Ohio State will definitely have a new defensive coordinator after Knowles jumped ship for Penn State, and some reports have linked offensive coordinator Chip Kelly to potential NFL jobs as well.

Having Knowles and Kelly in place to lead their units freed Day to be more of a CEO head coach, so having to replace both in one offseason would be significant.

5. Lots of talent is waiting in the wings.

Since taking over for Urban Meyer in 2019, Day has kept the talent flowing into Columbus.

True rebuilding seasons are rare for Ohio State, and that looks like it will continue to be the case.

Julian Sayin, a five-star freshman last year, is considered the heir apparent to Will Howard at quarterback, but junior Lincoln Kienholz could have something to say about that this spring.

James Peoples showed promise in limited chances at running back, and C.J. Donaldson transferred in from West Virginia to provide another option there.

Ohio State has also added tackles Ethan Onianwa from Rice and Phillip Daniels from Minnesota via the transfer portal along with Max Klare, who was a productive tight end at Purdue.

On defense, Jermaine Mathews Jr. has flashed potential at cornerback, where Springfield grad Aaron Scott Jr. could also be ready to earn a regular role next season.

Lakota West grad Malik Hartford and Jaylen McClain should compete for an open spot at safety, while Caden Curry, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Kayden McDonald put some solid snaps on film last season on the defensive front.

C.J. Hicks, an Alter grad entering his senior season, is also a wild card for the defense.

He was unable to win a starting spot at linebacker last season but could be a candidate to move to defensive end. His potential role could change based on who becomes the new defensive coordinator.

6. The schedule is nothing to sneeze at.

Ohio State opens the 2025 campaign at home against Texas, the team the Buckeyes beat in the CFP semifinals and potential preseason No. 1 with Arch Manning ascending to the starting quarterback position.

Another national semifinalists, Penn State, comes to town in November, and Ohio State will conclude the regular season with a trip to Michigan, where the Buckeyes will look to end a four-game losing streak in The Game.

They also have trips to Washington, Illinois and Wisconsin that could be tricky.