Ohio State 2025 depth chart projection

What we think the lineup will look like in the season opener vs. Texas

Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith. (Photo courtesy of Ohio State athletics)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State stopped releasing an official depth chart a few years ago, which has left some of the slots up for interpretation until the games kick off. But we want to give you an idea of what things might look like when the Buckeyes host Texas next weekend.

So here’s our first and final depth chart projection before the start of the 2025 season.

Quarterback

Starter: Julian Sayin

Backup: Lincoln Kienholz

We know Sayin won the battle. We think Kienholz might get some packages, think short-yardage and red zone, but it should mostly be Sayin’s show. Freshman Tavien St. Clair will hopefully get some run in blowouts, but we’re not expecting him to be a part of the plan otherwise.

Running back

Starter: James Peoples

He’ll basically be a starter: CJ Donaldson

He’ll play: Bo Jackson

This could certainly be a 1A, 1B situation like it was last year, but we think Peoples will be the first one to get a carry against Texas and be the guy who gets slightly more work in a share with Donaldson, the West Virginia transfer. The gap between the top two and the freshman Jackson doesn’t seem as wide as the gap between TreVeyon Henderson/Quinshon Judkins and Peoples last year, so Jackson could get some meaningful carries in year one.

Receiver

Starters: Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss

Backups: Bryson Rodgers, Mylan Graham

Keep an eye on: Quincy Porter

The top three are clear. The question is mostly which of Tate or Inniss comes off the field whenever OSU plays with multiple tight ends (which could be a fair amount). Feels like Tate and Inniss could take turns being the guy who comes off, depending on what the offense is trying to do, but both will be important. Rodgers and Graham are positioned to be the next two in, but to what extent remains to be seen. We’ve not seen heavy rotation at receiver in a few years. Porter has the skill set as a freshman to work his way into that second tier.

Tight end

Starters: Max Klare, Will Kacmarek

He’ll basically be a starter: Bennett Christian

Backups: Jelani Thurman

Klare’s unique skill set will likely get him on the field more than any tight end. We could certainly see a scenario where Kacmarek and Christian split time as the in-line tight end. There’s likely a bit of a gap between those three and Thurman. He’s not listed here, but freshman Nate Roberts could work his way into the conversation at some point.

Offensive line

Starters: LT Austin Siereveld, LG Luke Montgomery, C Carson Hinzman, RG Tegra Tshabola, RT Phillip Daniels

Wild card: Ethan Onianwa

Backups: Ian Moore, Jake Cook, Josh Padilla, Gabe VanSickle

The starting interior is back from the end of last season. Siereveld has cemented himself at left tackle. We think Daniels will emerge victorious from a transfer vs. transfer battle with Onianwa for the right tackle job, but Onianwa will play. He can play both tackle spots, and he’s been getting work at guard. OSU will tap into that versatility and is willing to rotate up front, as we saw last year. The next guy in beyond that would probably be Padilla, the third-year center who’s developed well.

Defensive line

Starters: DE Kenyatta Jackson Jr., DT Eddrick Houston, DT Kayden McDonald, DE Caden Curry

He’ll basically be a starter: DE Beau Atkinson

He’ll rotate in: DE CJ Hicks, DT Will Smith Jr., DT Tywone Malone

Keep an eye on: DT Jarquez Carter, DT Eric Mensah

Feel pretty confident in who the starting four will be against Texas. Could certainly see the Jackson-Curry-Atkinson trio at defensive end being mostly an equal share, with Hicks rotating in (perhaps situationally). Smith (1 technique) and Malone (3 technique) figure to be the first two tackles in behind McDonald and Houston early, but especially at backup three technique, we could see that being an ongoing battle into the season that includes Carter and Mensah.

Linebacker

Starters: Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese

He’s basically a starter: Payton Pierce

Backups: Garrett Stover, Riley Pettijohn

Would expect Styles and Reese to get most of the snaps when the defense is in the base 4-2-5. Reese played more than 300 snaps as the “third” linebacker last year. Pierce could find himself in a similar situation, if not play more, should defensive coordinator Matt Patricia want to move Styles or Reese up to the line of scrimmage on certain packages. Position coach James Laurinaitis said he thinks of Styles, Reese and Pierce as starters.

Secondary

Starters: CB Davison Igbinosun, Ni Lorenzo Styles Jr., SAF Caleb Downs, SAF Jaylen McClain, CB Jermaine Mathews Jr.

He’ll rotate in: SAF Malik Hartford

Backups: Ni Bryce West, CB Aaron Scott Jr., CB Devin Sanchez

Things could get funky here with different personnel packages, but you can be confident that Downs, Igbinosun and Mathews will be out there the most. Downs isn’t ever coming off the field. McClain seems on track to win the camp battle with Hartford at the other safety spot, but we think both will play, perhaps even together at times, so that Downs can roam some. We’ll see if Scott and/or Sanchez push for any rotation at corner. Likewise for West at nickel.