Off-Script Ohio: Breaking down Ohio State’s projected offensive depth chart for 2026

Ohio State’s offense might once again be one of the most talented groups in college football, but unlike some recent years, several key roles still feel fluid entering the summer.

The Buckeyes have proven stars returning, high-end transfers arriving, and elite freshmen pushing for early opportunities. But as spring practice and the spring game showed, this offense is still evolving.

The structure is there. The upside is obvious. Now the question becomes how the pieces ultimately fit together.

The easiest projection on the roster remains quarterback. Julian Sayin is firmly QB1 entering the season after throwing for over 3,600 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2025, and everything about Ohio State’s offseason has reinforced that reality.

But one of the bigger conversations around the room is what happens behind him. Tavien St. Clair continues to look like Ohio State’s quarterback of the future, and the spring game showed both the flashes and inconsistency expected from a young quarterback with elite physical tools.

Ohio State clearly believes in the long-term upside there, which makes getting him second-half reps this season extremely important.

At running back, Bo Jackson still projects as the centerpiece after his 1,090 yard season last year, even though injuries limited spring evaluation. Behind him, the room feels much more open. Isaiah West, Ja’Kobi Jackson, Legend Bey, Anthony Rogers, and Favour Akih all bring different styles, and there may not be a true RB2 separation until fall camp.

Ohio State’s receiver room once again looks loaded, but the hierarchy behind Jeremiah Smith remains one of the most fascinating storylines on the roster.

Smith is the unquestioned WR1 and arguably the biggest star in college football entering 2026. Brandon Inniss still appears positioned for a major slot role, but the battle for the next outside spot remains wide open between Devin McCuin, Chris Henry Jr, Kyle Parker, Brock Boyd, and others.

McCuin has generated serious momentum throughout spring after arriving from UTSA with nearly 1,700 career receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. Multiple reports described him as one of the biggest standouts of spring practice, and there is growing belief he could immediately become one of Ohio State’s most reliable receivers.

Then there is Chris Henry Jr, whose spring game performance only accelerated the hype surrounding him. His size, catch radius, and natural movement ability already look different, and while Ohio State may not need him to carry a major role immediately, it is becoming increasingly difficult to imagine him staying off the field entirely.

The bigger takeaway is this, Ohio State’s offense may rotate more receivers this year than it has in recent seasons. Instead of relying almost entirely on two or three stars, the Buckeyes suddenly have legitimate depth and stylistic variety at the position.

Tight end remains one of the quieter but more important storylines offensively. Nate Roberts continues trending toward a major role after strong offseason momentum, while transfers Hunter Welcing and Mason Williams add experience and versatility. Roberts, in particular, feels like someone Ohio State wants to emerge as a true difference-maker within the offense.

But ultimately, the offensive line may decide how dangerous this offense actually becomes. The Buckeyes return talent and experience, but spring also reinforced that the group still has questions, especially regarding consistency and protection.

Austin Siereveld, Phillip Daniels, Ian Moore, Josh Padilla, Luke Montgomery, and Carson Hinzman all factor heavily into what the final lineup becomes.

Josh Padilla, specifically, feels increasingly important. If Ohio State solidifies the tackle spots, Padilla could become the stabilizing interior presence this offense badly needs.

The line does not necessarily need to become dominant. It just needs to become reliable enough that the offense can fully unlock players like Sayin, Smith, and the expanded receiver rotation.

The most important thing about Ohio State’s projected offensive depth chart is not simply how talented it looks. It is how many answers the Buckeyes suddenly have.

There is star power at quarterback and wide receiver. There is depth at running back. The tight end room looks deeper and more versatile. And while the offensive line still has things to prove, the competition there feels healthier than it did late last season.

The Buckeyes are not rebuilding offensively. They are reshaping around a slightly different identity, one built on more versatility, more depth, and potentially more balance.

Now the next step is turning projection into consistency by the time September arrives.