OHIO STATE FOOTBALL RELOADS FOR 2025
Brennan McKellar - July 28, 2025
As the 2025 college football season approaches, Ohio State finds itself in a familiar yet urgent position: reloading for a championship run while integrating new talent across the board.
With a restructured roster and an ongoing quarterback battle, the Buckeyes are entering one of their most high stakes seasons in recent memory under head coach Ryan Day. The Buckeyes saw significant roster turnover this offseason, losing 19 players through graduation, the NFL Draft, or the transfer portal. Chief among those losses was quarterback Devin Brown, who was expected to be the program’s next offensive leader.
However, Ohio State acted quickly and decisively in the portal, retooling with experienced, high-upside players to maintain national title aspirations.
One of the headline additions is former West Virginia running back CJ Donaldson. He brings a physical edge and playmaking ability to Ohio State’s backfield and is expected to step in as a starter from day one.
Protecting him up front will be Rice transfer Ethan Onianwa, a standout offensive tackle who adds immediate depth and athleticism to the offensive line. These two additions alone drastically reshape the offensive identity of the Buckeyes, offering both power and protection in key spots.
The defensive side of the ball also received attention, with transfers brought in to fill critical roles. Ty Howard, a physical linebacker from Duquesne, and Beau Atkinson, a promising edge rusher from North Carolina, will help offset some of the program’s offseason departures and bring depth to a unit looking to remain among the nation’s best.
Yet, the biggest storyline in Columbus remains under center. With Devin Brown’s departure, the quarterback job is up for grabs. Sophomore Lincoln Kienholz returns with the most experience in the system, but all eyes are on Julian Sayin, the former five star Alabama transfer, who brings elite accuracy and poise. True freshman Tavien St. Clair, an Ohio native and early enrollee, has also impressed with his raw arm talent and athleticism, while senior Mason Maggs provides leadership and stability but is seen more as a mentor than a starting candidate.
This quarterback competition will be the central drama of fall camp, with Coach Day needing to select a leader capable of handling immense pressure and expectations. With a championship level roster and elite weapons on both sides of the ball, the quarterback decision could make or break the Buckeyes’ season.
Ohio State won’t have the luxury of easing into the 2025 campaign. In a blockbuster week one matchup, the Texas Longhorns come to Columbus in a rematch of the previous season’s Cotton Bowl. With Texas returning much of its production and aiming for a College Football Playoff berth of its own, this early test will serve as a litmus check for the Buckeyes. If Ohio State hopes to start the season strong, the quarterback room must be settled, and the new transfers must gel quickly.
With talent, tradition, and high stakes in play, 2025 is shaping up to be a defining year for Ohio State football. Whether the Buckeyes can rise to the occasion will depend on how fast this revamped roster comes together and who takes the reins at quarterback when the lights shine brightest.
