Ohio State football

C.J. Stroud, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and TreVeyon Henderson headline an Ohio State offense that has every intention of repeating as the top unit in the country ...

Ohio State found creative ways to get Jackson on the field as a freshman, occasionally inserting him into the game as a tight end, but the Texas native won’t have to worry about fighting for snaps this season. There’s no question Ohio State has all the requisite talent at running back and on the offensive line, but in order to take some pressure off Stroud and the pass attack, the Buckeyes need to be able to run the ball between the tackles effectively when it matters most in order to turn those two regular-season losses into wins this year. Wilson surprised some by naming Mitch Rossi – a former walk-on and fullback hybrid in years past – as the second tight end and one of the top 14 or 15 players on the Buckeye offense in general. Harrison already has a breakout moment under his belt as a Buckeye, as the 6-foot-4 wideout hauled in three touchdowns during Ohio State’s Rose Bowl win. The Buckeyes’ biggest weakness on offense was its inability to dominate in the run game during key moments in big games, and Frye has the task of changing that in 2022. None of those three ranked inside the top 120 players in the country as recruits, and none of the Buckeyes’ backup offensive linemen have seen considerable playing time at the collegiate level. Day has made no bones about his concerns in that department, as Josh Fryar, Enokk Vimahi and Zen Michalski might be the three top options as reserves for the unit. will debut at left tackle in place of Petit-Frere, but the five-star recruit may be even better at his natural position than he was as a starting guard for the Buckeyes last year. Smith-Njigba already set the single-game and single-season records for both receptions and receiving yards by the end of 2021, and as perhaps the focal point of the Buckeye pass attack from day one, he might just surpass those in his third season. It sure feels like it has, though, given the key players returning and the up-and-coming talent that will have a chance to carry the mantle for a high-octane offense that led the nation in points and yards per game last season. Ruckert’s understudy at tight end last year, Cade Stover, will step in as the starter in 2022, possessing ample ability as a blocker even if he sees fewer targets than his predecessor in the passing game. Stroud leading the way and the embarrassment of riches he has for a supporting cast, greatness is the standard by which the Buckeyes will be measured in 2022.

Ronnie Hickman led Ohio State in tackles in 2021, but could linebackers Tommy Eichenberg or Steele Chambers take that title this season?

Predictions](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/can-ohio-state-footballs-jaxon-smith-njigba-reach-2000-receiving-yards-in-2022-predictions.html) [What Ja’Marr Chase and Jaxon Smith-Njigba can tell us about Marvin Harrison Jr.’s potential second-year breakout for Ohio State football](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/what-jamar-chase-and-jaxon-smith-njigba-can-tell-us-marvin-harrison-jrs-potential-second-year-breakout-for-ohio-state-football.html) Predictions](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/could-marvin-harrison-jr-break-ohio-state-footballs-touchdown-receptions-record-predictions.html) [Brian Hartline on how Ohio State’s receivers room will function: Buckeye Talk Podcast](https://www.cleveland.com/buckeye-talk-podcast/2022/08/brian-hartline-on-how-ohio-states-receivers-room-will-function-buckeye-talk-podcast.html) [Michigan alum Desmond Howard: ‘I just don’t get’ Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud as Heisman Trophy favorite](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/michigan-alum-desmond-howard-i-just-dont-get-ohio-states-cj-stroud-as-heisman-trophy-favorite.html) [How will Ohio State football’s receivers rotate against Notre Dame on opening night?](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/how-will-ohio-state-footballs-receivers-rotate-against-notre-dame-on-opening-night.html) [Can Ohio State football’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba reach 2,000 receiving yards in 2022? Michigan could produce one of the best games in the rivalry’s history: Buckeyes schedule breakdown](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/ohio-state-vs-michigan-could-produce-one-of-the-best-games-in-the-rivalrys-history-buckeyes-schedule-breakdown.html) [Jayden Ballard already ahead of schedule developing into Ohio State football’s deep threat](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/jayden-ballard-already-ahead-of-schedule-developing-into-ohio-state-footballs-deep-threat.html) [Ranking C.J. Stroud and the quarterbacks who could win a national championship: College Football Survivor Show](https://www.cleveland.com/cfpshow/2022/08/ranking-cj-stroud-and-the-quarterbacks-who-could-a-win-national-championship-college-football-survivor-show.html) [Could Marvin Harrison Jr. [Ohio Stadium playing surface named Safelite Field in multi-year sponsorship agreement](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/ohio-stadium-playing-surface-now-safelite-field-in-multi-year-sponsorship-agreement.html) [What’s could Ohio State football’s wide receiver rotation look like in 2022?](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/whats-could-ohio-state-footballs-wide-receiver-rotation-look-like-in-2022.html) [Ohio State vs. I think his tackles go down as the defense needs to be bailed out by a safety less often, but I think he’ll still be the guy, with a bunch of players in the mix just behind him. Hickman and Josh Proctor would both be in place as a tremendous security blanket, and OSU would need them to do so less. If Ohio State has truly improved on defense, back towards the top-25 range that should be its baseline, it won’t need to rely on so much help in the back end. Malcolm Rodriguez, a safety turned linebacker, led Oklahoma State in tackles each of the last three seasons under Knowles. Yet some of Hickman’s stops can be attributed to a leaky run defense that needed help on the back end. The former Oklahoma State defensive coordinator was brought to Columbus with a nearly $2 million payday and a clear mission.

The Ohio State football team played musical chairs with the quarterbacks in 2015 and it cost them. TTUN clearly didn't learn from them.

There’s NO way this comes back to haunt them at all throughout the rest of the season. The old adage is that if you have two quarterbacks, you really have none. Kyle McCord started the Akron game last year, but that was because C.J. That’s because they have already decided that they will have two different starting quarterbacks in their first two games. It was the most frustrating season of Ohio State football I’ve seen until the refs screwed them in 2019 against Clemson. Barrett and Cardale Jones and ended up missing the College Football Playoff.

A best and final guess at how Ohio State's 2022 depth chart will stack up at every position based off of everything we've seen and heard this offseason.

Smith-Njigba has continued to see regular work at punt returner throughout the offseason, so it’s very possible he could retain the lead punt returner role. Egbuka remains Ohio State’s lead kickoff returner after he averaged 29 yards per return in that role as a freshman. Styles is another freshman to watch, as the five-star prospect has drawn plenty of praise this preseason, though he likely won’t be rushed into a major role after reclassifying from the class of 2023. Turner rounds out Ohio State’s scholarship cornerback roster, though Cameron Martinez and Jantzen Dunn could also potentially see action at cornerback if needed after both of them cross-trained at cornerback and safety in preseason camp. Like at defensive end, five players are expected to see regular playing time in the defensive tackle rotation. Sawyer and Jean-Baptiste will likely play at least some of their snaps at the “Jack” linebacker position, where Curry could also potentially factor in. In big games when the score is close, though, I’m predicting Tuimoloau and Sawyer will be the defensive ends who play the most snaps, with Harrison also heavily involved. Chrisman appears to be the frontrunner to round out the two-deep, as he took all the second-team reps at right guard during the only preseason practice that was fully open to the media. Royer and Scott both have the potential to be X-factors as pass-catching tight ends, but Wilson indicated they still must become more reliable as blockers in order to earn consistent playing time. Kevin Wilson made it clear during his preseason media availability that Stover and Rossi have established themselves as the top two tight ends on Ohio State’s depth chart. Hartline said Babb would also be in that group if healthy, but he’s expected to miss the start of the season after The Buckeyes will also want to get Brown reps this season ahead of an anticipated starting quarterback battle between McCord and Brown next offseason.

Ohio State football is almost upon us, Holly Rowe is high on the Buckeyes, owls don't have eyeballs, and 2022 should be a celebration of old and new.

It's real! Julian Fleming on the Buckeyes' wide receiver room: "At Ohio State, I'm around the best guys in the country. Neutron Man gave us a speech, so it evened out though. Huge fan of the graphics they're putting out recently. [pic.twitter.com/cZlutFqF7A] [August 24, 2022] [pic.twitter.com/xDuclGaBkC] [August 24, 2022]

Doug, Nathan and Stephen are joined by Tyler Shoemaker, who shares numbers on the chances of the Buckeyes winning each game.

Predictions](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/will-a-linebacker-or-a-safety-lead-ohio-state-football-in-tackles-in-2022-predictions.html) [Can Jaxon Smith-Njigba top his record-breaking 2021 season for Ohio State football?](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/can-jaxon-smith-njigba-top-his-record-breaking-2021-season-for-ohio-state-football.html) [Ohio Stadium playing surface named Safelite Field in multi-year sponsorship agreement](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/ohio-stadium-playing-surface-now-safelite-field-in-multi-year-sponsorship-agreement.html) [What could Ohio State football’s wide receiver rotation look like in 2022?](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/whats-could-ohio-state-footballs-wide-receiver-rotation-look-like-in-2022.html) [Ohio State vs. Michigan could produce one of the best games in the rivalry’s history: Buckeyes schedule breakdown](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/ohio-state-vs-michigan-could-produce-one-of-the-best-games-in-the-rivalrys-history-buckeyes-schedule-breakdown.html) [Jayden Ballard already ahead of schedule developing into Ohio State football’s deep threat](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/jayden-ballard-already-ahead-of-schedule-developing-into-ohio-state-footballs-deep-threat.html) [Ranking C.J. Stroud and the quarterbacks who could win a national championship: College Football Survivor Show](https://www.cleveland.com/cfpshow/2022/08/ranking-cj-stroud-and-the-quarterbacks-who-could-a-win-national-championship-college-football-survivor-show.html) Then Nathan Baird and Stephen Means join to go through all 12 games, agree or disagree on Doug’s percent chance on each game, and discuss the final undefeated number. If you or a loved one has questions and needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the National Council on Program Gambling Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700. [FanDuel Sportsbook promo:](https://wlwilliamhillus.adsrv.eacdn.com/C.ashx?btag=a_6224b_2486c_&affid=68&siteid=6224&adid=2486&c=) [Bet $5, Get $150 regardless if your bet wins or loses](https://wlwilliamhillus.adsrv.eacdn.com/C.ashx?btag=a_6224b_2486c_&affid=68&siteid=6224&adid=2486&c=) [DraftKings Sportsbook promo:](https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/4h0b?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D974202678%26wpcid%3D180643%26wpcn%3DCleveland_PromosLink1%26wpsrc%3DXL%2520Media%26wpcrid%3D&pcid=180643&psn=XL+Media&pcn=Cleveland_PromosLink1) [Bet $5, Get 200 in Free Bets when you bet $5+ on any NFL, CFB or UFC](https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/4h0b?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D974202678%26wpcid%3D180643%26wpcn%3DCleveland_PromosLink1%26wpsrc%3DXL%2520Media%26wpcrid%3D&pcid=180643&psn=XL+Media&pcn=Cleveland_PromosLink1) [MGM Sportsbook promo:](https://mediaserver.betmgmpartners.com/renderBanner.do?zoneId=1673469) [$1,000 Risk-Free Bet + 25](https://mediaserver.betmgmpartners.com/renderBanner.do?zoneId=1673469) [Caesars Sportsbook promo:](https://wlwilliamhillus.adsrv.eacdn.com/C.ashx?btag=a_6224b_2486c_&affid=68&siteid=6224&adid=2486&c=) [$1,250 on us](https://wlwilliamhillus.adsrv.eacdn.com/C.ashx?btag=a_6224b_2486c_&affid=68&siteid=6224&adid=2486&c=) [Barstool Sportsbook promo:](https://bss.sng.link/Aegpz/ki36?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.barstoolsportsbook.com%2Fregister&_p=THELAND1000&utm_pc=THELAND1000&_smtype=1) [2 for 1 New Player Bonus: If your first bet loses, get an equal free bet up to $1,000](https://bss.sng.link/Aegpz/ki36?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.barstoolsportsbook.com%2Fregister&_p=THELAND1000&utm_pc=THELAND1000&_smtype=1) [Ohio State football gear online, including jerseys, T-shirts, hoodies, hats](https://www.fanatics.com/college/ohio-state-buckeyes/o-38+t-46884479+z-955780-87463014) and much more. [Will a linebacker or a safety lead Ohio State football in tackles in 2022? There’s also a quick lesson on the undefeated history of the Buckeyes over the last 70 years and of other teams in the playoff era. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- On this weekend Buckeye Talk, Doug Lesmerises finishes his offseason project that was designed to arrive at a final percent chance of the Ohio State Buckeyes going undefeated during the 2022 regular season. Get the latest Ohio State Buckeyes merchandise: Here’s where you can order To discuss those numbers, Doug is first joined by Tyler Shoemaker, the officially unofficial bookmaker of Buckeye Talk, who shares his own numbers on the chances of the Buckeyes winning each game and then getting to 12-0.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Predicting some statistical milestones for the Ohio State Buckeyes this 2022 football season. Ohio State doesn't throw to its tight ends.

Predictions](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/can-ohio-state-footballs-jaxon-smith-njigba-reach-2000-receiving-yards-in-2022-predictions.html) [What Ja’Marr Chase and Jaxon Smith-Njigba can tell us about Marvin Harrison Jr.’s potential second-year breakout for Ohio State football](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/what-jamar-chase-and-jaxon-smith-njigba-can-tell-us-marvin-harrison-jrs-potential-second-year-breakout-for-ohio-state-football.html) Predictions](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/could-marvin-harrison-jr-break-ohio-state-footballs-touchdown-receptions-record-predictions.html) [Brian Hartline on how Ohio State’s receivers room will function: Buckeye Talk Podcast](https://www.cleveland.com/buckeye-talk-podcast/2022/08/brian-hartline-on-how-ohio-states-receivers-room-will-function-buckeye-talk-podcast.html) [Michigan alum Desmond Howard: ‘I just don’t get’ Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud as Heisman Trophy favorite](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/michigan-alum-desmond-howard-i-just-dont-get-ohio-states-cj-stroud-as-heisman-trophy-favorite.html) [How will Ohio State football’s receivers rotate against Notre Dame on opening night?](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/how-will-ohio-state-footballs-receivers-rotate-against-notre-dame-on-opening-night.html) [Can Ohio State football’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba reach 2,000 receiving yards in 2022? Michigan could produce one of the best games in the rivalry’s history: Buckeyes schedule breakdown](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/ohio-state-vs-michigan-could-produce-one-of-the-best-games-in-the-rivalrys-history-buckeyes-schedule-breakdown.html) [Jayden Ballard already ahead of schedule developing into Ohio State football’s deep threat](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/jayden-ballard-already-ahead-of-schedule-developing-into-ohio-state-footballs-deep-threat.html) [Ranking C.J. Stroud and the quarterbacks who could win a national championship: College Football Survivor Show](https://www.cleveland.com/cfpshow/2022/08/ranking-cj-stroud-and-the-quarterbacks-who-could-a-win-national-championship-college-football-survivor-show.html) [Could Marvin Harrison Jr. [Ohio Stadium playing surface named Safelite Field in multi-year sponsorship agreement](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/ohio-stadium-playing-surface-now-safelite-field-in-multi-year-sponsorship-agreement.html) [What’s could Ohio State football’s wide receiver rotation look like in 2022?](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2022/08/whats-could-ohio-state-footballs-wide-receiver-rotation-look-like-in-2022.html) [Ohio State vs. He had four against Penn State and Rutgers in 2020, plus a win over Clemson in the Sugar Bowl when he and Luke Farrell combined for five catches and three touchdowns. Plus, Stroud’s got plenty of weapons on the perimeter that’ll always eat first — and sometimes second and third — in this offense. Getting to 20 catches has been the threshold for Ohio State tight ends. Ruckert had two of those last year when he had four catches against Rutgers and five against Indiana. If OSU did not make it a priority to involve Ruckert more as a receiver, I am not holding my breath that Stover gets more abundant targets. That should help in the run game, but the question is more about how he can make an impact in the pass game.

Ohio State is six days away from being the focus of the college football world. The Buckeyes have the most intriguing matchup nationwide in Week 1, with two top ...

Or will Stroud and OSU spread the ball out as the Buckeyes did in 2021? Whether Michigan is 11-0 or 0-11 entering the game, Ohio State will be out for blood. 26 will mark the first time in four years Ohio State has hosted Michigan at Ohio Stadium. Last year saw multiple true freshmen break out in a big way for Ohio State, with TreVeyon Henderson and Denzel Burke emerging as standout players for the Buckeyes in 2021. Ohio State had two wide receivers taken early in the first round of this year’s NFL draft and they may not have even been the best wideouts on the team. Week 1 will be a prime opportunity for Knowles and OSU to show Columbus how much the defense has improved. After Pryor’s ACL injury, the lion's share of the carries will be given to standout running back TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams. Or will it slowly integrate into the defense as the season rolls on? Freshman Dallan Hayden now moves into the third-string role, and he’ll likely see time in what will probably be blowout wins against Arkansas State and Toledo. There’s no tune-up game to get adjusted, though, as Notre Dame will be a challenging test out of the gate. The Buckeyes have the most intriguing matchup nationwide in Week 1, with two top-five teams coming to Ohio Stadium. But will that transition to the field?

Our friends at DraftWire do a phenomenal job of providing us with the most up-to-date NFL mock drafts with an extremely knowledgeable explanation behind ...

Chicago getting another Buckeye to help Fields is ideal here. It’s time to dive into the latest two-round mock from Luke Easterling and the Ohio State prospects he has being selected. As these mock drafts get updated throughout the season, we here at Buckeyes Wire will keep a close eye on the movements of the eligible Ohio State prospects.