Ohio State Begins 2025 Football Season With High Expectations After Capturing the 2024 National Championship and Posting Dominant 14-2 Record
The Ohio State Buckeyes are entering the 2025 college football season not just with expectations—they’re entering with a national title to defend. After completing a thrilling 2024 campaign with a 14-2 overall record and hoisting the College Football Playoff National Championship trophy, the Buckeyes are back atop the mountain. Now, the challenge becomes something different: staying there. Head coach Ryan Day, long criticized for coming up short in big games, silenced his doubters by delivering the school’s first national title since 2014. Now, he and the Buckeyes face the immense pressure of repeating, evolving, and proving that last year’s success wasn’t just a breakthrough—it was a standard.
The 2024 season was not without adversity. Ohio State faced injuries, skepticism, and the sting of back-to-back losses to Michigan still fresh in the minds of its fans. But it all turned around when Day’s squad, led by a revitalized defense and an offense that found its identity down the stretch, caught fire late in the season. Wins over Georgia and Washington in the playoff sealed the storybook ending and reestablished Ohio State as one of the premier programs in the country.
But now it’s 2025. And with the new season approaching, the Buckeyes are once again the hunted.
The 2025 version of the Buckeyes may look different, but the foundation remains strong. Gone is quarterback Kyle McCord, who helped lead the team during the title run. In his place is a highly anticipated battle between Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz, and true freshman phenom Air Noland. While experience favors Brown and Kienholz, it’s Noland’s arm talent and poise that have many within the program believing he could be the next great one under center. Whoever emerges as the starter will have the benefit of one of the best supporting casts in college football.
It starts with the offensive skill positions. Star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka shocked many by returning for his senior year, giving the Buckeyes a proven No. 1 target. Alongside him are rising stars Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, and the freakishly talented Jeremiah Smith, who already looks like a future top-five NFL Draft pick despite being in his first year on campus. Together, they form what is likely the deepest and most explosive receiver room in the nation.
In the backfield, TreVeyon Henderson is back for one final run after a sensational postseason that saw him rush for over 300 yards combined in the playoff. His blend of speed, vision, and toughness makes him a legitimate Heisman contender, and with backups like Dallan Hayden and Jordan Lyle waiting in the wings, the Buckeyes have no shortage of ground game options.
But what could truly separate Ohio State in 2025 is its offensive line. Led by All-American Donovan Jackson and a group that returns with both size and experience, the offensive front is being hailed as the best of the Ryan Day era. Chemistry, communication, and depth—all hallmarks of elite line play—are finally aligning for the Buckeyes. With new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly bringing his signature uptempo style and creative schemes, the line’s ability to protect and pave the way will be essential.
Kelly’s presence in Columbus adds another layer to the expectations. Known for revolutionizing modern offensive football at Oregon and having stints in both the NFL and at UCLA, Kelly brings decades of experience and a fresh perspective. His offense is based on spacing, tempo, and adaptability—all of which suit Ohio State’s current personnel. For a team that struggled at times to maintain rhythm in 2024, the early signs suggest Kelly’s impact will be felt immediately.
Defensively, the Buckeyes enter 2025 with the confidence of a group that led the way during last year’s title run. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, once under fire for his aggressive style, now looks like one of the savviest hires in recent program history. The Buckeyes defense was a top-five unit nationally in nearly every major category in 2024, and they return many of the key contributors.
Up front, JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer form one of the most fearsome edge-rushing duos in the country. Both are relentless, powerful, and capable of flipping games with a single play. Inside, Tyleik Williams and Hero Kanu anchor the middle, forming a stout wall against the run.
At linebacker, Cody Simon and C.J. Hicks are expected to lead. Hicks, in particular, could have a breakout year after a strong finish to 2024. His athleticism, instincts, and versatility make him a perfect fit in Knowles’ aggressive system.
The secondary may be the most talented unit on the roster. Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun return as shutdown corners, while safeties Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs—an Alabama transfer—are poised to dominate from the back end. Styles has emerged as a true Swiss Army knife on defense, capable of lining up at multiple positions and making plays all over the field.
With such a stacked roster and proven coaching, it’s no wonder that Ohio State will enter the 2025 season ranked No. 1 in most preseason polls. But the schedule is not without challenges. The Buckeyes will travel to Eugene to take on Big Ten newcomer Oregon in what could be a top-five showdown. Road games against Penn State and Wisconsin loom large, and of course, the season-ending clash against Michigan in Ann Arbor will be a test of grit, pride, and postseason positioning.
The expanded Big Ten, now featuring USC, UCLA, Washington, and Oregon, presents new hurdles for Ohio State. But for a program that has long set the gold standard for consistency and excellence, these additions are viewed more as opportunities than threats.
“We want to play the best,” Ryan Day said this offseason. “That’s the only way to truly measure ourselves. We know there’s a target on our back, and that’s exactly where we want it.”
The mentality in Columbus is no longer about proving they belong. It’s about sustaining dominance. Players like Egbuka and Henderson didn’t return just for another run—they came back to build a legacy. For underclassmen like Jeremiah Smith, Air Noland, and C.J. Hicks, the message is clear: the expectation isn’t to compete for championships—it’s to win them.
Leadership in the locker room has become a major strength for this team. Veterans who tasted the bitterness of previous failures and the sweetness of last season’s triumph have set the tone in spring and summer workouts. The standard is clear. The goal is crystal.
Even special teams, often an overlooked phase of the game, is a weapon for the Buckeyes. Punter Jesse Mirco and kicker Jayden Fielding provide stability and reliability, while the return game—boosted by dynamic athletes like Xavier Johnson and freshman Mylan Graham—offers the chance to flip field position in a heartbeat.
In short, Ohio State enters the 2025 season as a complete team. There are no glaring weaknesses. There is no uncertainty about what they’re capable of. The only question that remains is whether they can repeat the magic of last season.
Repeating as national champions is one of the hardest feats in college football. The sport is built for chaos, surprises, and heartbreak. But if any team has the depth, talent, and leadership to do it, it’s this one. The 2024 championship removed the burden of doubt from the program and gave Ryan Day the validation he had long chased. But in his mind—and the minds of his players—the job isn’t done.
“This isn’t about one great year,” Day said at Big Ten Media Days. “This is about creating a dynasty. About being remembered forever.”
With a 14-2 record behind them and the full force of college football aiming at their crown, Ohio State stands at the center of the sport once again. Ready to be tested. Ready to defend. Ready to rise.
