The Ohio State Buckeyes just had 14 players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, which underscores the significant talent they’re losing from their National Championship team.

However, Ohio State does return the top wide receiver in the country, Jeremiah Smith, and the nation’s top defender, Caleb Downs. The Buckeyes will need a strong “next man up” mentality across their starting lineup.

Following the spring football period, Fox analyst Joel Klatt has another Big Ten team ranked ahead of the Buckeyes. Klatt lists Penn State at No. 1, followed by Texas at No. 2, with Ohio State coming in at No. 3. Oregon and Clemson round out the top five at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.

Other Big Ten teams in Klatt’s rankings include Illinois (No. 10), Michigan (No. 12), Indiana (No. 21), and Iowa (No. 23).

Penn State returns quarterback Drew Allar along with many starters from a team that made the College Football Playoff last season. The Nittany Lions also added wide receivers through the transfer portal, including Trebor Pena from Syracuse. Additionally, Jim Knowles made a lateral move to become Penn State’s new defensive coordinator.

Julian Sayin’s performance—assuming he earns the QB1 spot—will be a major factor in determining just how good Ohio State can be in 2025. The defense may take a step back, so the offense will need to carry more of the load. While Ohio State has recently had the upper hand against Penn State, a matchup between these two teams in their current projected rankings would be highly anticipated.

Regardless, the Big Ten is once again shaping up to be a powerhouse in 2025. Even a program like USC appears to be trending upward.

Other Big Ten teams in Klatt’s rankings include Illinois (No. 10), Michigan (No. 12), Indiana (No. 21), and Iowa (No. 23).