Ohio State Football Spring Game Attendance Dips in 2025: What It Means for the Buckeyes Moving Forward
On Saturday, Ohio State took the field for its annual spring game, a longtime tradition that often sets the tone for the Buckeyes’ football offseason. With a new wave of recruits, transfer additions, and returning stars, anticipation is usually high. However, in 2025, the buzz was a little quieter. Attendance for the spring game dipped noticeably compared to recent years, sparking conversation among fans, analysts, and program insiders alike.
The official attendance figure released by the university was approximately 58,000 — still a strong number by most programs’ standards, but significantly lower than what Ohio State has typically drawn in the Ryan Day era. By comparison, the 2023 and 2024 spring games drew crowds north of 70,000, with the 2023 edition topping 75,000. The drop is hard to ignore, and it comes at an intriguing time in the trajectory of the Buckeye program.
Several factors may have contributed to the decline. For one, the weather played a role. While Columbus didn’t experience a full-on washout, persistent clouds and unseasonably chilly temperatures in the mid-40s may have discouraged more casual fans from making the trip to Ohio Stadium. For a fanbase known for its dedication, that might not be enough to explain it entirely, but it was certainly a factor.
More importantly, the relative lack of drama or competition at key positions may have sapped some of the intrigue usually tied to the spring showcase. Unlike previous years where quarterback battles or new coordinator debuts took center stage, 2025’s Buckeye team has more clarity. Will Howard, the transfer from Kansas State, has all but locked up the starting quarterback job, and the offense under Chip Kelly seems to have found a rhythm — even if it’s still in the early stages of implementation.
Howard performed well in limited snaps during the spring game, showcasing the same mobility and command that made him one of the top quarterback transfers in the country. There’s no mystery about who will be under center this fall, and while that stability is undoubtedly good for the team, it may have taken some of the sizzle out of the spring game spectacle. For fans who live for speculation, position battles, and surprise breakouts, this year’s event offered fewer opportunities to imagine a new star rising.
Still, those who made the trip were treated to glimpses of Ohio State’s future. Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, the five-star sensation from Florida, lived up to his considerable hype. Smith hauled in multiple passes, including a deep ball that brought the crowd to its feet. His ability to get separation and high-point the football was as advertised. He’s already drawing comparisons to recent Buckeye greats at the position — Marvin Harrison Jr., Chris Olave, and Garrett Wilson among them.
The defense, too, showed flashes. Under Jim Knowles, the Buckeyes have been gradually becoming a more aggressive, opportunistic unit. Linebacker C.J. Hicks looked like a difference-maker on Saturday, flying around the field and flashing both speed and power. If he can translate that performance into the regular season, Ohio State’s defense might finally reach the elite tier it’s been flirting with under Knowles’ direction.
But even with bright spots on both sides of the ball, the event lacked some of the electricity that’s usually palpable in Columbus this time of year. It’s not necessarily a sign of disinterest, but perhaps a reflection of changing priorities and a fanbase that’s increasingly focused on the only thing that matters: winning championships.
Ohio State fans have grown accustomed to competing not just for Big Ten titles, but for national championships. The standard in Columbus is higher than ever. After three consecutive seasons falling short of that goal, there’s a sense among some fans that the spring game — entertaining as it may be — just doesn’t carry the same weight anymore.
Part of the shift may also be due to the college football calendar itself evolving. The rise of the transfer portal, NIL, and the expanded College Football Playoff have all shifted the way programs and fans engage with the sport. Spring games, while still meaningful, aren’t the focal points they once were for evaluating team progress or generating excitement. With the playoff expanding to 12 teams beginning this season, fans know that fall football — not April exhibitions — is where legacies will be defined.
That doesn’t mean Ohio State has nothing to gain from these games. For younger players, walk-ons, and coaches trying to evaluate depth, the spring game remains a critical part of the developmental process. For instance, backup quarterbacks Devin Brown and Julian Sayin each saw extended action, offering a preview of what’s to come in the post-Howard era. Sayin, the Alabama transfer and former five-star recruit, looked poised and accurate, though clearly still adapting to the Buckeyes’ system.
Running back also remains a position to watch. TreVeyon Henderson sat out the spring game for precautionary reasons, opening the door for Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins to get extended reps. Judkins looked powerful and decisive, and the duo of Henderson and Judkins could be one of the most dangerous in the country this fall — assuming health and workload balance are managed effectively.
The offensive line, a point of concern entering the offseason, showed mixed results. There were flashes of cohesion, but also several breakdowns in protection, especially against the second-team defensive front. That’ll be an area of emphasis heading into summer workouts and fall camp.
As for the fans, it’s worth remembering that a dip in spring game attendance doesn’t necessarily portend a lack of engagement. Ohio Stadium will still be packed this fall, especially for marquee home matchups against Iowa, Michigan State, and, of course, Michigan. The rivalry game remains the heartbeat of the Buckeyes’ schedule, and after three straight losses to the Wolverines, there’s no shortage of motivation — or scrutiny — facing Ryan Day and his staff.
Day himself acknowledged the lower turnout during his postgame remarks, but he didn’t seem overly concerned. “We always appreciate our fans,” Day said. “Whether it’s 60,000 or 100,000, the support we get is unbelievable. Today was about development, evaluation, and getting better — and I think we took a step forward.”
In many ways, he’s right. The spring game is a tool, not a trophy. Still, perception matters in a place like Columbus. The Ohio State football program has long prided itself on setting the bar — not just in wins and NFL talent, but in fan culture and engagement. A quieter spring game, whether due to the weather, familiarity, or shifting expectations, invites conversation about what comes next.
The answer, at least for now, lies in the fall. The 2025 season will be a pivotal one for Day. With Howard under center, a stacked wide receiver room, and a defense filled with veterans, the pieces are in place. But the schedule is no cakewalk, and the pressure to beat Michigan and secure a playoff berth is immense. Anything short of a conference title — and perhaps even a playoff win — will feel like underachievement.
That’s the standard at Ohio State, and it may be part of why fewer fans showed up for what is, in the grand scheme, a glorified scrimmage. There’s only one thing that really gets this fanbase buzzing now: championship potential. Everything else, including a gray April afternoon in the Horseshoe, is just the preamble.
Still, as the stadium emptied and fans trickled out, there was no panic. Just a quiet confidence — and maybe a bit of cautious optimism. The Buckeyes may not have put on the flashiest spring show in 2025, but their sights are set higher. As the weather warms and the fall draws closer, expect the passion to return in full force. After all, this is Ohio State. The standard never really slips.
