Ohio State’s 2022 Recruiting Class Could Still Define 2025 Season Despite Losing Over Two-Thirds of Its Talented Members

Ohio State’s 2022 recruiting class arrived in Columbus with sky-high expectations, a collection of blue-chip talent that ranked among the best in the nation. When those freshmen first put on the scarlet and gray, the buzz was deafening. At the time, the Buckeyes’ class ranked fourth nationally according to 247Sports, featuring a dazzling array of offensive firepower, defensive standouts, and position-group depth that seemed destined to anchor multiple College Football Playoff runs. But as the 2025 season draws near, that promising class has been reduced to a fraction of its original size. And yet, despite the exodus, the impact of that group could still be enormous.

By the numbers, Ohio State signed 21 scholarship players in the 2022 cycle. Of those, only about one-third remain on the roster heading into the fall. Some bolted for the transfer portal, others left early for the NFL, and a few never panned out. Attrition is the norm in today’s college football landscape, but this level of turnover still feels jarring—especially given the fanfare that accompanied the class.

Still, the story of Ohio State’s 2022 class isn’t about what could’ve been. It’s about the few who stayed—and who now have the stage to deliver. Among those still in Columbus, several names loom large, and their production in 2025 could ultimately define how the class is remembered.

Take linebacker C.J. Hicks, the five-star gem of the 2022 haul and one of the most talked-about prospects in the country coming out of Archbishop Alter in Dayton. Hicks, who arrived with the nickname “Captain Buckeye,” has had to bide his time behind veteran linebackers. Now, as a projected starter and emotional leader of the defense, Hicks has the opportunity to prove that his patient development will pay off. Coaches have raved about his off-season growth, both physically and mentally, and insiders believe he could be one of the Big Ten’s breakout stars.

On the offensive side, wide receiver Kojo Antwi stands out as another key holdover from the 2022 crop. Though the Buckeyes have become synonymous with churning out elite wideouts, Antwi’s route to the field has been anything but smooth. He’s spent years in the shadows of NFL-bound stars like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. But now, with a wide-open competition for the third and fourth receiver slots, Antwi is finally in position to claim a meaningful role. If he capitalizes, he’ll help continue Ohio State’s tradition of elite pass-catching production.

Then there’s running back Dallan Hayden, the versatile rusher who emerged as an unexpected hero late in the 2022 season, only to be buried on the depth chart again in 2023 and 2024. Hayden’s patience has earned him widespread respect, and with TreVeyon Henderson off to the NFL, he could be in for a resurgence. His blend of vision, burst, and toughness fits well with the Buckeyes’ new-look offense under head coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Should Hayden take control of the backfield committee, he’ll cement his legacy as one of the class’s key contributors.

Of course, not every returner is guaranteed a major role, but depth players from that class—like cornerback Jyaire Brown, defensive tackle Hero Kanu, and offensive lineman Tegra Tshabola—may play vital snaps in a season with playoff aspirations. Tshabola, in particular, has drawn praise this summer for his improvement and could be in line to start at guard or tackle depending on how camp battles shake out.

What makes this situation so unique is the contrast between the initial hype and current reality. Of the 21 players in the class, more than a dozen are gone. Some, like safety Kye Stokes and cornerback Ryan Turner, transferred in search of playing time. Others, like quarterback Devin Brown, competed valiantly but ultimately moved on due to the crowded quarterback room. Yet a handful parlayed their early experience in Columbus into NFL opportunities. Wide receiver Kaleb Brown and offensive lineman Carson Hinzman, for example, left an impression despite brief careers in scarlet and gray.

To be sure, this isn’t a phenomenon unique to Ohio State. The transfer portal has fundamentally altered college football’s roster management. Programs now operate with the understanding that each recruiting class is more of a starting point than a long-term foundation. And yet, the 2022 class’s thinning numbers still raise eyebrows considering how elite it was on signing day.

Still, the true measure of a recruiting class isn’t its retention rate—it’s the impact its players have on the field. And in that sense, the story remains unwritten. If Hicks turns into an All-American linebacker, if Hayden becomes a 1,000-yard rusher, if Antwi grabs 40-plus catches, and if Tshabola anchors the offensive line, this class could be remembered fondly regardless of how many of their peers left early.

Another element to consider is leadership. Hicks and Hayden, in particular, have emerged as key voices in the locker room, helping to stabilize a roster that is younger in certain spots than in past years. With quarterback Julian Sayin taking the reins and the program aiming to reassert its dominance in the Big Ten, veteran leadership will be essential. The fact that some of that leadership stems from the 2022 class speaks volumes about the character of those who stayed.

It also speaks to Ohio State’s developmental philosophy. While the program undoubtedly benefits from star power, its long-term success often hinges on players who develop gradually, who stay the course even when playing time is scarce early on. That mindset is what’s allowing the remnants of the 2022 class to potentially thrive in 2025.

And there’s another twist: some of the transfers from that class are also flourishing elsewhere, reinforcing the idea that the class had talent to spare. Kye Stokes has emerged as a starter in the SEC. Devin Brown is rumored to be in contention for a starting job at his new school. These success stories validate Ohio State’s original evaluations even as they complicate the overall legacy of the class.

For now, though, the focus is on what the remaining Buckeyes from 2022 can deliver. The pressure is on. Ohio State enters the season with national title expectations, a revamped coaching staff, and fierce competition from Michigan, Penn State, and a rising field in the Big Ten. Every snap will matter. Every mistake will be magnified. And for the players still wearing the Block O from that 2022 class, the time to make a lasting mark is now.

There’s poetic symmetry in the idea that a class once celebrated for its depth may ultimately be defined by just a handful of names. It underscores the unpredictable nature of college football. Recruiting rankings tell part of the story. Transfer portal movement tells another. But championships are won by those who endure, who adapt, who rise when the spotlight is brightest.

That’s what’s left for Hicks, Hayden, Antwi, and the rest of the 2022 holdovers. They were once the future of the program. Now, they’re the present. And if all goes according to plan, their persistence may just power the Buckeyes back to the pinnacle of the sport.