by Ryan Day
Head coach Ryan Day has won 86.8% of the games he has coached for Ohio State since taking over in 2019. Coach Day has defeated every Big Ten opponent in the regular season for the past three years, except for arch rival Michigan. Unfortunately, Day has lost to Michigan three straight years. Losing to Michigan has always been a major concern for the Ohio State program. This has led Day to increase efforts in both recruiting and in the transfer portal.
The Buckeyes have landed safety Caleb Downs from Alabama, running back Quinshon Judkins from Ole Miss, and quarterback Will Howard from Kansas State. Ohio State also has the number one recruited player in the country with freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Day has also handed over offensive play calling responsibilities to his mentor, coach Chip Kelly.
Defense
The Ohio State Buckeyes are bringing in new talent as well as returning starters on defense for the 2024 season. With so much talent, depth, and experience on the Ohio State defense it is not surprising that they are the number one ranked defense going into this season. Even the upcoming NCAA college football 25 video game ranks Ohio State as the top defense in the game.
Despite having multiple players with futures in the NFL Ohio State is bringing back a number of key starters for the 2024 season. Among those returning include All-American corner Denzel Burke, All-American defensive lineman Tyleik Williams, edge rushers JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, linebackers Steele Chambers and Sonny Styles, and safety Lathan Ransom.
The Buckeyes also added Alabama transfer Caleb Downs who appears to be one of the best safeties in the country. Most if not all of these players will have a future in the NFL, but for now they remain in Columbus with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. With so much talent on one side of the ball combined with the fact that many of the players have been together for at least one year, the Buckeye defense will likely be a force to be reckoned with.
Offense
On the offensive side of the ball Ohio State is still loaded with both young and experienced talent. The Buckeyes added Kansas State transfer Will Howard to replace Kyle McCord as the starting quarterback for the 2024 season. However, the biggest addition to the offense this year is Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins. Judkins will join Trevion Henderson to likely give Ohio State the best running back duo in the country.
Despite losing Marvin Harrison Jr to the NFL draft, the Buckeyes receiving core is still loaded with talent. The receiving core will likely be led by Emeka Egbuka who has proven to be one of the best receivers in the country when healthy. Egbuka will be joined by Carnell Tate and true freshman Jeremiah Smith to form the Buckeyes main receiving trio. Tate showed flashes of potential last season but was overshadowed by the great Marvin Harrison Jr.
Meanwhile, Smith recently became the fastest freshman to lose his black stripe during spring practices. Both Tate and Smith are expected to have big impacts on this offense for years to come. As long as the offensive line is productive throughout the season Ohio State should expect to have a top ten offense once again.
Conclusion
On paper Ohio State is better than every team they will be playing this season. However, with three tough games including at Oregon, at Penn State, and at home against Michigan this could be a make or break season for Ryan Day.
