Early Glimpses from Ohio State’s First Preseason Practice Reveal Intensity, Depth, and Urgency Across All Units for 2025 Title Push
Ohio State completed its first preseason practice on Thursday, and while the calendar still says summer, the energy on the practice field felt like late November. The Buckeyes came out with intensity, urgency, and purpose — exactly what you’d expect from a team chasing not just another Big Ten crown, but a repeat national championship. We collected footage from the first three periods of the practice, offering a valuable window into how Ryan Day and his staff are beginning to shape a roster loaded with expectations.
Even within those early practice periods — when players are just getting re-acclimated to live reps and positional drills — there was no mistaking the tone. This is not a team easing into the season. This is a roster that knows the standard it’s expected to uphold. The clips we gathered highlight a number of critical position groups, and the early storylines emerging from the first official session of fall camp speak volumes about where this team is headed.
The defensive line was the first unit we locked in on, and it didn’t take long to see why this group is expected to be among the best in college football. The Buckeyes are deep, experienced, and, perhaps most importantly, versatile along the front four. JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, now seasoned veterans, looked every bit the part of elite edge defenders. Their get-off was explosive, their technique refined, and their leadership clear. They were vocal, engaged, and setting the tone for the younger players who will be expected to contribute rotationally this fall.
Inside, the competition is fierce. Ty Hamilton and Tyleik Williams worked through power and agility drills with urgency, and early signs suggest both could be poised for breakout campaigns. The interior group showed a blend of raw strength and refined movement that hints at the depth Day and defensive line coach Larry Johnson have developed. Perhaps most notable, though, was the presence of true freshmen and younger players holding their own during high-speed reps. If the Buckeyes can go eight deep up front, it changes everything about how Knowles will call games.
Shifting to the offensive line, the early period clips revealed a unit still very much under construction — but not without promise. A major offseason storyline, the O-line has to replace key starters while also building cohesion with whichever quarterback wins the starting job. What we saw on Thursday was a group focused on fundamentals: pad level, footwork, and communication. And while it’s far too early to draw sweeping conclusions, there was a noticeable uptick in quickness and chemistry from some of the projected starters compared to the spring.
One standout was left tackle Josh Simmons, who looked stronger and more fluid than he did last season. His pass sets were efficient, and his work in one-on-ones showed better balance and timing. At center, returning starter Carson Hinzman appeared to take command of the line calls, and his urgency in run-blocking drills caught the attention of several staff members. Right guard remains one of the more open spots on the line, but the rotation on Thursday indicated a willingness to experiment, something that will be important over the next two weeks.
The most electric clips of the session, unsurprisingly, came from the wide receivers and quarterbacks. Brian Hartline’s receiver room remains a national story, even without Marvin Harrison Jr., and Thursday’s practice confirmed why. Emeka Egbuka was crisp, polished, and in rhythm — exactly what you want from a veteran leader in his final season. Carnell Tate looked fluid and confident, clearly building on the flashes he showed last year. And Brandon Inniss, still only scratching the surface of his potential, demonstrated strong hands and excellent spatial awareness during skeleton drills.
Newcomer Jeremiah Smith also stood out, even in a limited sample. His size, footwork, and burst off the line make it easy to see why he was rated as the top receiver in the 2025 recruiting class. He didn’t dominate every rep — nor was he expected to — but what he showed was enough to reinforce that he’ll be a factor sooner than later.
The quarterback position, of course, remains the focal point of fall camp. Thursday’s footage captured all three top contenders — Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz, and Julian Sayin — working in individual and group drills. Brown, the most experienced of the trio, looked poised and efficient. His throws had zip, and he operated with a sense of timing that reflects his familiarity with the offense. Kienholz showed off his athleticism and creativity in movement drills, often extending plays with his feet even in simulated scenarios.
Sayin, meanwhile, looked like anything but a freshman. His mechanics were clean, his arm talent was obvious, and his calm presence during pressure drills raised eyebrows among staff and teammates alike. It’s only one practice, and there’s still a long way to go in the competition, but the early body language, demeanor, and execution suggest that all three quarterbacks are fully invested in the battle ahead. More importantly, none appear rattled by the weight of the moment.
Day has repeatedly said he hopes to have clarity on the position by the end of next week, and based on what we observed, the separation might come down to situational consistency and leadership presence as much as arm strength or accuracy. Thursday’s session was heavy on fundamentals, but the quarterbacks knew eyes were on them. Every throw, every interaction with teammates, and every audible call was being evaluated. The moment wasn’t too big for any of them, and that’s a good problem to have.
Special teams footage provided an underrated glimpse into the finer details of what makes Ohio State elite. While rarely the focus of early practices, the kicking and return units were sharp in their execution. Jayden Fielding, who handled kickoffs last season, showed solid range and accuracy during field goal drills. Punter Jesse Mirco, a steady presence over the past two years, displayed consistency and control, which will be key in flipping field position against top-tier opponents.
The return game also had some flash. Egbuka and Tate both fielded punts during live reps, and their ability to track the ball and quickly transition into return mode was noticeable. Ball security and positioning were stressed heavily by the coaching staff, as the Buckeyes aim to reduce costly mistakes on special teams after a few hiccups last year.
While it’s easy to overreact to the first day of camp, Thursday’s practice felt like more than just a warmup. There was a palpable sense of accountability. Coaches were loud but deliberate. Players moved from drill to drill with urgency. And the communication — between coaches and players, and among players themselves — reflected a group that understands how fine the line is between being elite and simply very good.
For a program chasing back-to-back national titles for the first time in its storied history, there is no time to waste. That understanding was visible in the way each unit approached the session. No one was coasting. No one was complacent. This wasn’t a team basking in past glory. It was a team locked in on what comes next.
The footage from Thursday’s first three periods told a simple but powerful story: this team is deep, determined, and dialed in. The road ahead will be grueling — tougher Big Ten competition, an unsettled quarterback room, and the challenge of staying at the top. But based on how things began, this group seems ready to embrace all of it.
Practice One is in the books. The standard has been set. And from the early glimpses we gathered, Ohio State is starting the 2025 season exactly how they need to — focused, intense, and fully aware that anything less than excellence won’t be enough.
