2026 tOSU Offense Discussion

[RB07OSU]

That’s stupid as hell. If anyone’s leash is getting shortened I’d have to think it’s Bowen’s since his unit is singularly the primary cause of losing our two biggest games.

Maybe I’m dumb for thinking that though so who knows

Bingo. Overall the OL play and recruiting has marginally improved imo...but those games demonstrate we haven't hit on a really elite OL unit in a bit. I get that the two games were against elite defensive fronts, but we need elite OL play and that's the standard.

 

[calibuck]

Every production line (industry) has a 'bottleneck'. That means that when everything flows well, one point is the thing that holds the line from going gang busters. Every production/assembly line has one. Using that simile, the Buckeye offense has an elite WR group, a much better than average RB group, and a QB that produced an almost 70% success ratio. That leaves the OL as the bottleneck. Everyone above has tabbed the OL as the problem, and yeah, Bowen's the figurehead, and yeah, the players have to execute. Heck, we've seen OL players get replaced, and then drafted by the NFL! And they practice against a darn good DL. Lack of talent? Everyone of them are very serviceable. Superstars, nope. Everyone has their flaws. Need better coaching? Hard to say. Teamwork? Chemistry? Injuries? Have zero answers, but hope they perform well enough to get the job done, keep Sayin upright, and give the WRs time to break free. And let us not forget to open holes for the RBs and get to the second level. An early Monday rant

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[Buckeneye]

I mentioned, in Julian's thread, I have the 2025 season All-22. I'm making great use of it.

I did want to convey my main bullet point about the 2025 Offense as it relates to 2026- It felt like the opposite to their counterparts from 20 years ago. That 2005 team got better as the season wore on and saved their best ball for the last few games of the season. If not for some special teams blunders and an ill-advised turnover, they would have ending the bowl season putting up a 45 spot and 600 yards on Notre Dame.

The 2025 squad left SO much on the table it's painful. Not just the players, I'm calling out the Coaching staff as well. ( Shout out to the WR's for their lack of intensity in blocking with the running and screen game. A pick six running a stalk block? Embarrassing)

I didn't want to make it seem like I'm picking on Julian alone, so I'm going to point out the OL & the Play calling. This post is all of the stuff the players & coaches need to get away from in 2026 if this team is to contend.


The OL I got nasty with here...






In terms of the play calling and pre-game preparation, I really have to ask where our offensive coaching staffs heads were at. The Miami defense was pretty well understood in being a 1hi dominant squad that feasted off of their weakside pressures from 2nd and 3rd levels while being aggressive on the perimeter. The Bucks early designs to attack that were RPO's to outside, playing to the aggressive CB nature. Later countering with much more lower percentage throws.










If that wasn't enough, designing something like boundary flood off waggle just screams 'unaware'.
Twice in this game Carnell was open for what would have been a huge gain or a home-run TD. First one I put on the OL. This one I put on the coaches.













It was just such a complete hodge podge of play calling that felt like there was no rhythm & consistency. Largely because the opening sequences and designs were so piss poor or badly executed that the coaching staff collectively lost their heads. The Canes defense was in their heads early and often.

Like I said, these are things the offensive coaching staff simply cannot afford to do moving forward. We gave no reason to back these corners off early, while at the same time making giant execution mistakes between QB, OL & WR. To the tune of 4 punts, 1 missed FG and 1INT in the Bucks first 6 possessions.

If not for an outstanding defensive effort and good fortunate, the Cotton Bowl should have been 31-7 Miami.


I'm hopeful, but I'm also bullish. Cautiously optimistic, if you will, for this upcoming season.

20 years ago, I was just a wide-eyed kid. Now I have 10s of thousands of hours poured into football. That 2006 squad, while talented, had some self-destruct button, type of flaws. I'm grateful to them, as painful as that season ended. Since then, I've only increased my command of the game, learned how to emotionally step back, widen the gaze and remove ones self for a more clear picture of the greater issue(s) at hand.

That issue boils down to me having doubts about this teams ability to contend late in the seeason unless the holy trifecta of QB, OL & Coaches find a greater application and consistency in/of their respective abilities.

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[ScriptOhio]

Ohio State freshman WR duo pushing for early playing time alongside Jeremiah Smith

Ohio State freshmen Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd are pushing for early snaps in a wide‑open receiver room. Here's why both newcomers could contribute in 2026

www.cbssports.com

Ohio State freshman WR duo pushing for early playing time alongside Jeremiah Smith​

Ohio State freshmen Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd are pushing for early snaps in a wide‑open receiver room. Here's why both newcomers could contribute in 2026​

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Worth noting: Harrison and Olave arrived as four-star recruits, not the consensus five-star prospects that have since become the program's standard at the position. Both finished their careers among Ohio State's all-time receiving leaders.

Henry's appeal is rooted in his physical tools. The 6-foot-5 receiver, son of former NFL wideout Chris Henry, pairs that size with a large catch radius, giving Ohio State a true outside target who can win above defenders and finish contested catches. A significant portion of his production at powerhouse Mater Dei in California came on downfield throws and tight coverage situations, where his length and ball skills allowed him to turn difficult chances into completions.

Boyd enrolled at Ohio State after becoming his high school's all-time leading receiver, breaking records that had stood for two decades. But he was the 25th-highest rated signee in Ohio State's 29-man high school recruiting class. By recruiting metrics alone, he had no business being in this conversation.

But he is.

Whether that translates into significant production remains to be seen. But the early evaluations suggest both may already be closer to the field than Ohio State freshmen at the position typically are.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Just sayin': Here is what The New York Times (Athletic) thinks of Ohio State's 44 players on offensive.

What you need to know about Ohio State’s 2026 roster: 44 thoughts on 44 offensive players

Ohio State has big expectations coming into this season. Here's a position-by-position breakdown of the Buckeyes' offensive roster.

www.nytimes.com

What you need to know about Ohio State’s 2026 roster: 44 thoughts on 44 offensive players​

With no spring transfer portal window this year, the Ohio State roster is set. The Buckeyes are expected to be a preseason top-five team, but just how good can the offense be?

Here are thoughts on Ohio State’s 44 scholarship offensive players. Check back for defense and special teams later this week.

Quarterbacks

Julian Sayin, r-Soph.: Sayin returns as one of the preseason Heisman Trophy favorites after throwing for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a national-high 77 percent completion rate, but there was still room for growth after losing two games in a row to end the season. He is spending the offseason improving his mobility, which should help add to his elite touch and accuracy. Whether he’ll vault himself into the first round of the NFL Draft remains to be seen, but he’s a talented second-year starter who should help Ohio State’s offense take the next step.

Tavien St. Clair, r-Fr.: St. Clair is entering an important year for his development after redshirting last season. He was a five-star prospect and the No. 4 player in the 2025 recruiting class, and many consider him the next quarterback up. For now, he’s the frontrunner for the backup position and will need to take advantage of all the second-half reps he gets.

Justyn Martin, r-Sr.: The Maryland transfer, who began his career at UCLA, has a strong arm, but St. Clair’s upside appears higher as the backup. Still, Martin brings a much-needed veteran presence to the depth chart.

Luke Fahey, Fr.: Fahey’s size immediately caught my eye, as the California native is listed at 5 feet 11. He’s likely to redshirt, but his 61-yard touchdown run in the spring game was a bright spot.
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[ScriptOhio]

Skull Session: Jeremiah Smith is College Football’s WR1, Bryson Rodgers Still Hates The Team Up North and Kirk Herbstreit’s Cameos Cost a Fortune

Jeremiah Smith is college football's No. 1 wide receiver, Bryson Rodgers is a Buckeye for life and Kirk Herbstreit's Cameos cost a fortune.

www.elevenwarriors.com

THE BEST IN THE B1G. Ohio State was well-represented in Phil Steele’s preseason All-American teams, with preseason National Offensive Player of the Year Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin, Austin Siereveld, Luke Montgomery, Earl Little Jr. and Dalton Riggs all earning recognition.

Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten

First Team	Second Team	Third Team	Fourth Team
RB Bo Jackson	QB Julian Sayin	C Carson Hinzman	K Connor Hawkins
WR Jeremiah Smith	OG Luke Montgomery	OT Phillip Daniels
OT Austin Siereveld	DT John Walker	DE Qua Russaw
S Earl Little Jr.	LB Payton Pierce	DE Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
LS Dalton Riggs	CB Devin Sanchez	LB Christian Alliegro

Ohio State placing four offensive linemen across the first three teams — Siereveld, Montgomery, Carson Hinzman and Phillip Daniels — stands out as a major indicator of what could be a dominant unit up front. If that group comes to fruition in 2026, the Buckeyes will be a problem for everyone.

Just sayin':
1. should be interesting to see what the new OC can do with these guys.
2. I would have thought Hinzman would be higher than 3rd team.
3. Wonder if Tegra Tshabola would have made at least 3rd team OG had he stayed
4. Conner Hawkins has to be an upgrade on Special Teams. Dalton Riggs must be the "real deal" too.

 

[RB07OSU]

Skull Session: Jeremiah Smith is College Football’s WR1, Bryson Rodgers Still Hates The Team Up North and Kirk Herbstreit’s Cameos Cost a Fortune

Jeremiah Smith is college football's No. 1 wide receiver, Bryson Rodgers is a Buckeye for life and Kirk Herbstreit's Cameos cost a fortune.

www.elevenwarriors.com

THE BEST IN THE B1G. Ohio State was well-represented in Phil Steele’s preseason All-American teams, with preseason National Offensive Player of the Year Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin, Austin Siereveld, Luke Montgomery, Earl Little Jr. and Dalton Riggs all earning recognition.

Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten

First Team	Second Team	Third Team	Fourth Team
RB Bo Jackson	QB Julian Sayin	C Carson Hinzman	K Connor Hawkins
WR Jeremiah Smith	OG Luke Montgomery	OT Phillip Daniels
OT Austin Siereveld	DT John Walker	DE Qua Russaw
S Earl Little Jr.	LB Payton Pierce	DE Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
LS Dalton Riggs	CB Devin Sanchez	LB Christian Alliegro

Ohio State placing four offensive linemen across the first three teams — Siereveld, Montgomery, Carson Hinzman and Phillip Daniels — stands out as a major indicator of what could be a dominant unit up front. If that group comes to fruition in 2026, the Buckeyes will be a problem for everyone.

Just sayin':
1. should be interesting to see what the new OC can do with these guys.
2. I would have thought Hinzman would be higher than 3rd team.
3. Wonder if Tegra Tshabola would have made at least 3rd team OG had he stayed
4. Conner Hawkins has to be an upgrade on Special Teams. Dalton Riggs must be the "real deal" too.

Should be the best OL we've had in quite some time, or close to it. I think just about any OL would get dunked on by Indiana and Miami's defensive fronts in the form they were at come playoff time. They'll be better for it.