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Ohio State 2025 Offense Depth Chart Projection – Pre Spring Camp

For this 1st edition of the Ohio State Depth Chart, we break down the offense and look at six new starters for 2025

Patrick Weider
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Nov 9
Nov 9

By Patrick Weider 

Ohio State is coming off winning the National Championship, but most of their team are moving on. They will be returning five offensive starters, including dynamic wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Below are the projections for Ohio State’s starting offense for next year. This is the 1st edition we will do. 

Quarterback

Starter: Julian Sayin 

First Backup: Lincoln Keinnholz

Second Backup: Tavien St. Clair

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Julian Sayin was extremely impressive last fall as he was competing for the backup quarterback position. Sayin was the top quarterback prospect in the 2024 class and has a legitimate ability to throw the ball in the pocket. Lincoln Keinholz will compete against him, he is a good athlete, and he could challenge him for the job because of his running ability. I still expect Sayin to win the job. Tavien St. Clair is a 5-star prospect in the 2025 class that early enrolled, but I do not think he has a chance to start this season. It is Sayin’s job to lose. 

Running Back

Starting Running Back: CJ Donaldson

Back up Running Back: James Peoples 

I think this will probably end up in a split carry situation between both backs, but I think CJ Donaldson the West Virginia transfer will probably start and get between 50% to 60% of the carries. Donalson is a big and physical running back who has over 2,000 rushing in his career. James Peoples in limited playing time showed a good ability to run the ball last year. I expect Peoples to be a good running back who has excellent potential going forward. Both Donaldson and Peoples make a good 1-2 punch at running back. 

Wide Receivers

Starting X Wide Receiver: Jeremiah Smith

Starting Z Wide Receiver: Carnell Tate 

Starting Wide Receiver Y: Brandon Inniss

Key Back Up Wide Receiver: Bryson Rodgers  

Key Back Up Wide Receiver: Mylan Graham 

Jeremiah Smith is the best wide receiver in the country, and Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss are two talented wide receivers as well. Emeka Egbuka will be missed, but Innis and Tate should be able to fill the void going forward. It would not surprise me if Carnell Tate would be the breakout player on the team next year. He flashed last year but has the potential to play even better next year. Also, Bryson Rodgers is a good player who could rotate with Tate or Inniss. Finally, Mylan Graham is a talented wide receiver who could also crack the rotation and get some playing time.

Tight Ends

Starting Tight End: Max Klare

Backup Tight End: Will Kacmarek 

Backup Tight End: Jelani Thurman 

Max Klare transferred in from Purdue and should be an upgrade at the tight end position for the Buckeyes. Gee Scott was serviceable at times but never reached the potential of previous tight ends. Two years ago, Cade Stover had 41 catches and five receiving touchdowns. I expect Max Klare to be used similarly as he is a talented tight end. Klare caught 51 catches last year, I can see his production dropping, from last year, but still makes a big impact. Will Kacmarek is back, and he is an excellent, blocking tight end. Jelani Thurman is a young player that should rotate in and play as well. Thurman has a ton of potential as well. This is a good group of tight ends.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle: Ethan Onianwa 

Left Guard: Luke Montgomery 

Center: Carson Hinzman

Right Guard: Tegra Tshabola

Right Tackle: Phillip Daniels

Interior Offensive Line Key Backup: Austin Siereveld 

Offensive Tackle Key Backups: Devontae Armstrong, and Deontae Armstrong 

Ethan Onainwa and Phillip Daniels both transferred in and expect to start at both tackle positions. Onianwa is more of a finished product, but Daniels has potential as well. The 3-starting interior offensive linemen all come back. Luke Montgomery started to rotate in the CFB playoffs and played well. He has a ton of potential. Tegra Tshabola and Austin Siereveld both rotated at the other guard positions as well and they both were excellent in the College Football Playoffs. Carson Hinzman also deserves a ton of credit for stepping in and playing as a center for Seth McLaughlin who was lost the season. Ohio State does not have a lot of depth along the offensive line, but twin brothers Devontae and Deontae Armstrong will hopefully develop this off-season and be key backups next year. 

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