Michael Citro
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Roster turnover in Ohio State’s running game raises questions for 2025
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Ohio State isn’t set up for the same level of success running the ball in 2025 as it was in 2024, but the Buckeyes might be great at it again anyway.
Ohio State lost its top three rushers from 2024 with the departures of Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson, and quarterback Will Howard. The Buckeyes saw 2,302 yards walk out the door between those top three rushers from a year ago.
Even if no other Buckeye had gained a yard, those three did enough to finish No. 45 in the nation — ahead of 90 other schools’ totals. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and backup quarterback Devin Brown combined to take an additional 36 rushing yards out the door with them.
Counting only running backs, Ohio State returns 250 rushing yards from last year’s team, split unevenly between James Peoples (197) and Sam Williams-Dixon (53). The latter was in the portal for a time, so things were almost even more ridiculous than they are.
Leaping out of the portal with Williams-Dixon comes West Virginia transfer C.J. Donaldson, Jr. The veteran running back put up decent numbers with the Mountaineers in 2024, rushing for 734 yards on 163 carries (4.5 yards per attempt) and 11 touchdowns. Those 11 touchdowns are nine more than Peoples (2) and Williams-Dixon (0) had combined.
The previous three paragraphs may not have gotten to the point quickly, but they represent just how much Ohio State needs to replace this fall. There is talent, but aside from Donaldson, it is largely untested.
The running game may be further affected by other departures. Ryan Day got a head start on replacing center Seth McLaughlin when he injured his Achilles tendon late last season, but he is now gone for good. Both starting tackles and guard-turned-tackle Donovan Jackson are also gone, meaning not only will fresh faces be toting the rock this fall, but there will be new linemen trying to open holes for them.
All of this is a good illustration of what was so ironic about the OSU Spring Game. The running game looked miles ahead of where it should be. The pessimists out there are likely seeing the performances by the offensive line, Donaldson, Peoples, Williams-Dixon, and Bo Jackson as an indictment of a thin defensive line, and it’s possible that was a big contributor. We likely won’t know that until this fall.
However, the optimists are excited right now. There appear to be four capable running backs, and the line may simply be coming together quickly under new offensive line coach Tyler Bowen.
The truth likely falls somewhere between the pessimistic and optimistic ways of looking at the Spring Game. A lack of depth on defensive line likely played a role in what we saw. Additionally, some defensive players may be easing up on the throttle in some instances, knowing they can’t unload on their teammates in the annual glorified practice. That can work in favor of the offense.
But Ohio State running backs also tend to excel. One need look no further than the two that just left to play on Sundays in the NFL.
In 2023, Henderson shared the backfield with Miyan Williams, Dallan Hayden, and Chip Trayanum — all good football players. Going back a little further, you can add names like Master Teague, Trey Sermon, J.K. Dobbins, and Mike Weber.
You get it. Ohio State reloads (not rebuilds) at running back. The offensive line is a bit more unpredictable from year to year, but it’s generally somewhere between solid and quite good.
We’ll find out in a few months, but the biggest loss in the running game could be someone who never threw a block or carried the ball once in 2024 — former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. The hope is that Brian Hartline, a man who notably recruits and coaches up the country’s best wide receivers year after year, learned quite a bit from Kelly and his predecessors to keep Ohio State’s running game humming in 2025.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning in any discussion about Ohio State’s running game in 2025 that there will be more pressure on it to perform than last season. The Buckeyes had an experienced quarterback last season. In 2023, however, Ohio State had a first-year starter under center in Kyle McCord. The running game produced 800 fewer yards than in 2024 and no 1,000-yard rusher (as opposed to two).
It’s oversimplifying to say that it was because defenses didn’t fear McCord as much as Howard or C.J. Stroud. Kelly was a key component of last year’s success, and offensive linemen, wide receivers, and running backs have changed over the past three seasons.
This column has spent a lot of words setting the stage for a conclusion, but there isn’t one. I can’t predict how all the changes will affect the running game. Thinking through it logically, it makes sense that the Buckeyes will take a step backward from their No. 18 finish in rushing yards (2,662) and No. 11 finish in rushing touchdowns (34) in 2024.
But it doesn’t have to fall off a cliff. The talent is there — both in the backfield and on the line. If the line coaching doesn’t fall off, and if whoever wins the starting quarterback position plays well, Ohio State will be just fine in the rushing department.
Continue reading...
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Ohio State isn’t set up for the same level of success running the ball in 2025 as it was in 2024, but the Buckeyes might be great at it again anyway.
Ohio State lost its top three rushers from 2024 with the departures of Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson, and quarterback Will Howard. The Buckeyes saw 2,302 yards walk out the door between those top three rushers from a year ago.
Even if no other Buckeye had gained a yard, those three did enough to finish No. 45 in the nation — ahead of 90 other schools’ totals. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and backup quarterback Devin Brown combined to take an additional 36 rushing yards out the door with them.
Counting only running backs, Ohio State returns 250 rushing yards from last year’s team, split unevenly between James Peoples (197) and Sam Williams-Dixon (53). The latter was in the portal for a time, so things were almost even more ridiculous than they are.
Leaping out of the portal with Williams-Dixon comes West Virginia transfer C.J. Donaldson, Jr. The veteran running back put up decent numbers with the Mountaineers in 2024, rushing for 734 yards on 163 carries (4.5 yards per attempt) and 11 touchdowns. Those 11 touchdowns are nine more than Peoples (2) and Williams-Dixon (0) had combined.
The previous three paragraphs may not have gotten to the point quickly, but they represent just how much Ohio State needs to replace this fall. There is talent, but aside from Donaldson, it is largely untested.
The running game may be further affected by other departures. Ryan Day got a head start on replacing center Seth McLaughlin when he injured his Achilles tendon late last season, but he is now gone for good. Both starting tackles and guard-turned-tackle Donovan Jackson are also gone, meaning not only will fresh faces be toting the rock this fall, but there will be new linemen trying to open holes for them.
All of this is a good illustration of what was so ironic about the OSU Spring Game. The running game looked miles ahead of where it should be. The pessimists out there are likely seeing the performances by the offensive line, Donaldson, Peoples, Williams-Dixon, and Bo Jackson as an indictment of a thin defensive line, and it’s possible that was a big contributor. We likely won’t know that until this fall.
However, the optimists are excited right now. There appear to be four capable running backs, and the line may simply be coming together quickly under new offensive line coach Tyler Bowen.
The truth likely falls somewhere between the pessimistic and optimistic ways of looking at the Spring Game. A lack of depth on defensive line likely played a role in what we saw. Additionally, some defensive players may be easing up on the throttle in some instances, knowing they can’t unload on their teammates in the annual glorified practice. That can work in favor of the offense.
But Ohio State running backs also tend to excel. One need look no further than the two that just left to play on Sundays in the NFL.
In 2023, Henderson shared the backfield with Miyan Williams, Dallan Hayden, and Chip Trayanum — all good football players. Going back a little further, you can add names like Master Teague, Trey Sermon, J.K. Dobbins, and Mike Weber.
You get it. Ohio State reloads (not rebuilds) at running back. The offensive line is a bit more unpredictable from year to year, but it’s generally somewhere between solid and quite good.
We’ll find out in a few months, but the biggest loss in the running game could be someone who never threw a block or carried the ball once in 2024 — former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. The hope is that Brian Hartline, a man who notably recruits and coaches up the country’s best wide receivers year after year, learned quite a bit from Kelly and his predecessors to keep Ohio State’s running game humming in 2025.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning in any discussion about Ohio State’s running game in 2025 that there will be more pressure on it to perform than last season. The Buckeyes had an experienced quarterback last season. In 2023, however, Ohio State had a first-year starter under center in Kyle McCord. The running game produced 800 fewer yards than in 2024 and no 1,000-yard rusher (as opposed to two).
It’s oversimplifying to say that it was because defenses didn’t fear McCord as much as Howard or C.J. Stroud. Kelly was a key component of last year’s success, and offensive linemen, wide receivers, and running backs have changed over the past three seasons.
This column has spent a lot of words setting the stage for a conclusion, but there isn’t one. I can’t predict how all the changes will affect the running game. Thinking through it logically, it makes sense that the Buckeyes will take a step backward from their No. 18 finish in rushing yards (2,662) and No. 11 finish in rushing touchdowns (34) in 2024.
But it doesn’t have to fall off a cliff. The talent is there — both in the backfield and on the line. If the line coaching doesn’t fall off, and if whoever wins the starting quarterback position plays well, Ohio State will be just fine in the rushing department.
Continue reading...