Ohio State Begins 2025 Season as Defending National Champions with Reloaded Roster and a Relentless Drive for More Greatness
The 2025 college football season begins with a familiar name atop the rankings and a new title next to it: defending national champions. The Ohio State Buckeyes, long one of the most storied programs in college football history, enter this fall carrying the weight of championship expectations once again. But this time, they’re not chasing a title — they’re defending one. After a masterful 2024 campaign that ended with a thrilling 27-24 victory over Texas in the national title game, Ohio State has reestablished itself not only as the top program in the Big Ten but also as the gold standard across the country.
Head coach Ryan Day, now entering his seventh full season in charge, finally silenced the lingering doubts about his ability to win on the biggest stage. After several near-misses and a few painful losses to archrival Michigan, Day’s Buckeyes reached their full potential last season. With a dominant defense, a balanced offense, and exceptional leadership, Ohio State proved it could adapt, evolve, and conquer when the moment mattered most.
Now, the challenge is different. The Buckeyes are the hunted, not the hunters. And staying on top is often harder than getting there.
Much of the confidence around Ohio State’s title defense centers on the roster’s remarkable combination of returning talent and new blood. Although key contributors like quarterback Kyle McCord, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg have moved on to the NFL, the program has reloaded in typical Buckeye fashion.
At quarterback, the spotlight shines brightest. The battle to replace McCord is one of the most anticipated in the nation. Kansas State transfer Will Howard brings leadership, experience, and dual-threat ability. He played in high-pressure games and offers mobility that fits well within Ryan Day’s evolving scheme. But he’s being pushed hard by returning backup Devin Brown and former five-star freshman Julian Sayin, who has drawn rave reviews during spring practices. Whoever wins the job will have the benefit of working behind a much-improved offensive line and alongside one of the deepest collections of offensive weapons in the country.
The receiver room, long a factory for NFL talent under Brian Hartline, remains elite. Emeka Egbuka returns for his senior year as the most experienced of the group, while sophomores Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss look ready to break out after strong freshman seasons. Then there’s the addition of Jeremiah Smith, the No. 1 overall player in the 2024 recruiting class. His spring game performance drew comparisons to past Buckeye greats, and he may be the most gifted wide receiver to step foot in Columbus since Harrison.
Tight end Gee Scott Jr. provides a big, reliable target, while rising star Jelani Thurman is expected to have a major role in the red zone. The backfield is equally stacked, headlined by a healthy TreVeyon Henderson, whose explosive runs and pass-catching ability make him one of the most versatile running backs in the country. Dallan Hayden and Chip Trayanum return to offer depth and physicality, and true freshman Jordan Lyle adds even more firepower.
The offensive line, a question mark entering last season, has matured into a strength. Anchored by left tackle Josh Simmons and center Carson Hinzman, the unit also features Alabama transfer Kadyn Proctor, whose size and experience are a massive boost. Offensive line coach Justin Frye has worked wonders in developing a cohesive, nasty front capable of dominating in both pass protection and the run game.
If the offense is built to overwhelm, the defense is constructed to smother. Ohio State’s 2024 championship was as much about defensive dominance as offensive execution, and much of that core returns. The defensive line is terrifying on paper and even scarier on the field. Edge rushers JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer are both back for their senior seasons, giving the Buckeyes the most feared pass-rushing duo in the nation. Interior linemen Tyleik Williams and Michael Hall Jr. provide relentless pressure and stout run support, while Hero Kanu and Ty Hamilton rotate in to keep the group fresh.
At linebacker, the Buckeyes are led by C.J. Hicks, the former five-star recruit who broke out last season with a team-leading 98 tackles, 4 sacks, and a pick-six against Michigan. Sonny Styles, a hybrid safety-linebacker, offers unmatched versatility and physicality. Their speed and range make them the heartbeat of the defense and critical in both coverage and run support.
The secondary, a strength last season, returns most of its starters. Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun form one of the best cornerback tandems in the country, while safety Lathan Ransom provides veteran leadership and communication. Perhaps the biggest addition is Caleb Downs, the Alabama transfer and 2023 Freshman All-American, who will start at strong safety and bring a punishing, instinctive presence to the backend.
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, now in his third season in Columbus, has fully implemented his aggressive yet disciplined scheme. The Buckeyes finished in the top three nationally in scoring defense, red zone efficiency, and third-down stops in 2024. This year’s unit looks even more cohesive, deeper, and more confident.
But it’s not just the roster or the staff that makes Ohio State dangerous — it’s the mindset. Last year, the Buckeyes played with something to prove. They were criticized, questioned, and counted out after two straight losses to Michigan and playoff failures. That pain fueled their championship run. In 2025, the challenge will be staying hungry after reaching the summit.
Ryan Day knows the dangers of complacency. In his offseason messaging, he’s made it clear that one title is not enough. “We didn’t come here just to win one,” Day told the media at Big Ten Media Days. “We came here to build a legacy.”
Day’s message has resonated throughout the program. Veteran leaders like Egbuka, Tuimoloau, and Henderson have embraced the responsibility of setting the tone for a younger generation. Strength coach Mickey Marotti, a holdover from the Urban Meyer era, has implemented one of the toughest offseasons in recent memory to make sure no one gets comfortable.
Ohio State’s 2025 schedule will test that resolve early and often. A trip to Eugene to face Oregon in Week 3 looms large, followed by a midseason battle with Penn State in Happy Valley and the season-ending clash with Michigan at home. With the new Big Ten format eliminating divisions, it’s likely Ohio State will need to beat one of those teams again in the conference title game to secure a playoff bid.
Speaking of the playoff — the expanded 12-team format changes everything. No longer does one loss end a team’s title hopes. But for Ohio State, the standard remains unchanged: win the Big Ten, beat Michigan, and win it all. The playoff expansion may provide more margin for error, but it also adds more games, more pressure, and more potential pitfalls.
As the season approaches, expectations in Columbus — and across Buckeye Nation — are sky high. Tickets have sold out. Merchandise sales have surged. And preseason rankings have Ohio State at or near No. 1 in every poll. But inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, there is no sense of arrival. Only the next challenge.
Ross Bjork, the newly hired athletic director, has emphasized the need to support the football program in every way possible, from NIL infrastructure to facilities and athlete wellness. “We’re not chasing a moment,” he said recently. “We’re building a dynasty.”
And that’s exactly what’s at stake. The 2025 Buckeyes aren’t just trying to win another title — they’re trying to start a new era of sustained dominance, akin to what Alabama built under Nick Saban or what Georgia has done in recent years. With elite talent, a deep staff, institutional support, and a fanbase that expects greatness, Ohio State has everything it needs to stay on top.
But college football is unpredictable. New contenders emerge. Injuries happen. Bounces don’t always go your way. That’s why Day and his team are focused not on the past, but the present. One game at a time. One practice at a time. One mission: to prove that 2024 was just the beginning.
As the defending national champions take the field this fall, they won’t just be playing to repeat — they’ll be playing to dominate, to redefine what it means to wear the scarlet and gray, and to leave no doubt that the throne belongs in Columbus.
