“BUILDING THE NEXT DYNASTY: New Leaders Emerge Across Ohio State’s Roster as Buckeyes Forge Stronger Identity Entering Pivotal 2025 Season”

As Ohio State football prepares to enter the 2025 season, the echoes of past greatness are no longer enough. The Buckeyes have long been defined by tradition, talent, and titles, but this new era demands more than just historical weight. Following seasons marked by near-misses and high expectations, Ohio State is experiencing a shift—not in philosophy, but in personnel. Gone are many of the names that have dominated headlines in Columbus the past few years. In their place is a new wave of athletes, driven by hunger, bonded by brotherhood, and unified by a shared determination to return the Buckeyes to college football supremacy. This transition is not a rebuilding process—it is a recalibration. And as 2025 looms, new leaders are stepping up across every position group, forming the backbone of what could be the next great Ohio State dynasty.

Leadership is not always about seniority. At Ohio State, it often comes from those most willing to set the tone, in the weight room, on the practice field, and during the toughest fourth quarters of the season. The current offseason has revealed a cadre of emerging voices—players who command respect with their actions, inspire belief with their grit, and embrace responsibility with maturity well beyond their years. From the quarterback room to the secondary, from the trenches to special teams, there’s a noticeable shift underway in Columbus. And that shift is setting the tone for what head coach Ryan Day hopes will be a season defined by resilience, unity, and execution.

One of the most closely watched storylines is the evolution of leadership within the quarterback room. With Devin Brown no longer in the fold and Lincoln Kienholz transferring, the weight of command has fallen upon new signal callers who understand that at Ohio State, the expectations never dip. Whether it’s Julian Sayin, the elite former five-star freshman now entering his second season with a deeper understanding of the playbook, or dynamic dual-threat phenom Air Noland, the quarterback position is demanding more than just strong arms and quick feet. It demands vocal leaders who can elevate the locker room and energize the huddle. Sayin has reportedly embraced the leadership mantle, staying late after practices, organizing summer workouts, and pushing accountability throughout the offense. Those in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center speak of Sayin with a reverence normally reserved for established stars—testament to the kind of cultural impact he is already making.

But leadership at Ohio State has always extended well beyond the quarterback position. In the running back room, there’s an unmistakable torch-passing underway. TreVeyon Henderson may be gone, but the urgency and excellence he brought to the program have been inherited by Dallan Hayden and a rising group of backs who understand the standard. Hayden, now an upperclassman, has taken younger players under his wing, emphasizing vision, patience, and pass-blocking—a trait often overlooked but vital in Ryan Day’s offense. His willingness to teach, even as he competes for carries, speaks volumes about the team-first mindset taking root in Columbus.

The wide receiver corps, perennially elite under Brian Hartline, remains stocked with game-breaking talent. But leadership here is being defined in quieter, more intentional ways. Carnell Tate, now a household name after flashes of brilliance in 2024, is no longer simply relying on his raw skill. He’s embracing the grind, refining his route running, and setting a physical tone in practice. With true freshman phenoms like Jeremiah Smith and Mylan Graham entering the mix, Tate’s influence is pivotal. He’s teaching by example—how to carry yourself in meetings, how to prepare like a pro, and how to block just as hard as you catch. That holistic mentality is becoming infectious in the receivers’ room, creating not just a collection of playmakers, but a culture of accountability.

Up front, the offensive line has often been the program’s most unsung unit. But within that trench warfare, new vocal leaders are emerging. Luke Montgomery, who has transitioned into a dependable anchor, is commanding respect not just for his technique but for his emotional intelligence. He’s the type of player who studies defensive alignments obsessively, corrects teammates constructively, and brings controlled fire to every rep. On the interior, emerging leaders like Josh Simmons and Austin Siereveld are reportedly stepping into more prominent roles as communicators, helping solidify a unit that must keep Ohio State’s offense humming through the grind of Big Ten play.

On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is fostering a group with a chip on its shoulder and a point to prove. After showing flashes of elite play in 2024, the defense returns with both swagger and focus. But it’s not just about talent—it’s about cohesion and trust. Leading that charge are linebackers like C.J. Hicks and Sonny Styles. Hicks, in particular, has made an undeniable leap. No longer just a freak athlete, he has developed into a field general, diagnosing plays pre-snap and holding teammates to a higher standard. Styles, moving fluidly between hybrid safety and linebacker roles, brings an edge to the defense that has become contagious. Their partnership in the middle is forming the emotional core of the Buckeye D—a combination of fearlessness, discipline, and fierce pride in the silver bullet tradition.

In the secondary, leadership is being shaped through adversity. With several departures to the NFL, including Denzel Burke, it has fallen upon returning veterans like Davison Igbinosun to take ownership. Igbinosun, who transferred from Ole Miss and quickly became a stabilizing force in 2024, has grown into a mentor role. Whether breaking down film with younger corners or barking assignments on the field, his voice is now one of the most respected on the defense. Likewise, Malik Hartford at safety has emerged as a cerebral and physical presence—someone who thrives in chaos and communicates with clarity, traits that Knowles deeply values in his scheme.

Special teams, often overlooked by the casual fan, are also seeing a renaissance of leadership. With consistency vital in tight conference games, specialists like Jayden Fielding and Jesse Mirco have stepped up as culture carriers. Their attention to detail, their commitment to preparation, and their visible passion for the game are serving as models for younger players who often cut their teeth on kickoff and punt coverage units.

But perhaps the most telling sign of leadership growth at Ohio State isn’t found in a stat sheet or depth chart—it’s found in how this team responds to setbacks. Players have spoken openly this offseason about their unfinished business, about the sting of coming close but falling short. That collective memory is fueling the culture. Veterans have implemented team-only accountability meetings. Position groups are self-organizing film study sessions. Leaders are pushing each other in new ways, beyond what is required by coaches. This isn’t a program resting on laurels—it’s one burning with urgency.

Ryan Day has been candid about what needs to change, and it starts with leadership. He has challenged his roster to own the moment, to be player-led rather than coach-dependent. What he’s getting in response is a locker room that feels empowered, connected, and purpose-driven. The foundation being laid this offseason goes far deeper than scheme. It’s about identity. And that identity is being shaped by voices both loud and quiet, by actions both seen and unseen.

Ohio State football has never lacked for stars. But stars alone don’t build dynasties—leaders do. And if the 2025 Buckeyes are to write a new chapter of greatness, it will be authored by those who embrace the pressure, elevate their teammates, and lead from the front. Across this roster, those leaders are already emerging. They are not waiting for the season to begin—they’re seizing the moment now. The dynasty they seek to build starts not on Saturdays in the fall, but in the grind of summer, the echoes of the weight room, the details of the film room, and the unity forged behind closed doors.