Ohio State 2026 projected depth chart: Comparing the offense pre-portal vs. post-portal

How much has OSU's projected offensive depth chart changed following transfers?

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin returns to lead the offense in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Ohio State athletics)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State’s projected lineup for the 2026 season has taken on a different look following the Buckeyes’ additions and losses via the transfer portal, as well as the NFL Draft decisions of the team’s pro-eligible underclassmen.

We had an idea of what the depth chart could look like, but now things have changed.

Below is an updated depth chart projection, with a hopefully helpful side-by-side comparison of what we expected pre-portal and what things look like now, post-portal and post-draft declarations, with a thought or two on which projection was better for the Buckeyes. New transfer additions will be italicized.

We’ll start today with the offense.

Quarterback

Pre-portal starter: Julian Sayin

Pre-portal backups: Tavien St. Clair, Luke Fahey

Post-portal starter: Sayin

Post-portal backups: St. Clair, Justyn Martin, Fahey

Not much has changed here. Ohio State added Martin, a fifth-year quarterback from Maryland via the transfer portal, and unsurprisingly lost Lincoln Kienholz to Louisville via transfer. We never expected Kienholz back this year, so it was just a matter of whether OSU would add an experienced backup. It did with Martin, who began his career at UCLA and could have two years of eligibility remaining due to an injury suffered last year that cost him all but a few snaps.

Is this better? About the same. Sayin’s growth is the biggest piece of that puzzle, but the combination of St. Clair and Martyn also gives the Buckeyes a couple of viable backups.