Ohio State’s Talent Remains Elite, But Departure of 14 NFL Draft Picks Creates Major Questions Entering Week One Showdown With Texas

Ohio State’s Talent Remains Elite, But Departure of 14 NFL Draft Picks Creates Major Questions Entering Week One Showdown With Texas

Ohio State’s 2025 football season begins under the brightest of spotlights. The Buckeyes are the reigning national champions after a 14-2 campaign that ended with them hoisting the College Football Playoff trophy. They enter the new year with sky-high expectations and one of the most talented rosters in the nation. But as the countdown to their Week 1 showdown against Texas ticks closer, the weight of transition looms over Columbus. The departure of 14 players to the NFL Draft is a seismic shift, and while talent remains in abundance, questions abound. Can Ohio State reload fast enough to stay on top? Or will the early-season test against a rising Texas team expose growing pains that could linger?

The Buckeyes have long prided themselves on not rebuilding, but reloading. Under Ryan Day, the program has produced first-rounders at an almost factory-like pace, from C.J. Stroud to Garrett Wilson to Paris Johnson Jr. That trend continued in 2025’s NFL Draft, where 14 Buckeyes heard their names called, many in the early rounds. The losses were spread across both sides of the ball, leaving leadership voids, schematic concerns, and the always-complicated question of whether the next wave is ready.

The most glaring concern is continuity. Players like Marvin Harrison Jr., Tommy Eichenberg, Cade Stover, Mike Hall Jr., and Kyle McCord all played vital roles in last season’s title run. Replacing stars is a part of life at a program like Ohio State, but replacing 14 NFL-caliber players in one offseason—especially before a top-10 matchup—is something even the most elite programs struggle with.

The spotlight will naturally shine on the quarterback position. With Kyle McCord now in the NFL, the Buckeyes turn to a new face to lead the offense. The battle in camp has come down to Julian Sayin, Devin Brown, and Lincoln Kienholz, but Sayin’s buzz has grown louder with each passing week. The former five-star recruit transferred from Alabama and has impressed with his poise, accuracy, and ability to command Chip Kelly’s offense. But with zero collegiate starts, asking Sayin to handle Texas in his debut is no small task.

Texas, meanwhile, returns a loaded roster that includes quarterback Arch Manning, who has blossomed into a star and is now a Heisman contender. With Steve Sarkisian dialing up one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, the Buckeyes will be tested early and often. It’s the kind of game where experience matters—and that’s exactly where Ohio State may be vulnerable.

Still, the Buckeyes do have plenty of weapons. The receiver room, as always, is elite. Emeka Egbuka’s decision to return shocked many around the country and gives Ohio State a clear No. 1 option. Behind him, rising sophomores Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss are ready for breakout seasons, while freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith looks like a future top-10 NFL pick. If the quarterback can get them the ball, they’ll make plays.

The run game also remains strong with TreVeyon Henderson leading the charge. His explosive postseason last year reminded fans just how electric he can be when healthy. Dallan Hayden and Jordan Lyle provide depth, and the offensive line—despite some key departures—returns several important pieces. Donovan Jackson anchors a group that has quietly developed into one of the most cohesive units in the Big Ten, and new faces like Luke Montgomery are ready to step in and shine.

Chip Kelly’s arrival as offensive coordinator adds both opportunity and complexity. His system, based on tempo, spacing, and efficiency, will look different from last season’s scheme. Early reports from camp suggest the players have responded well to the new approach, with the quarterback getting the ball out quicker and more pre-snap motion being incorporated. But with new terminology and timing-based routes, execution under pressure against an aggressive Texas defense will be key. One or two miscommunications could swing momentum fast.

Defensively, Ohio State also faces transition. Gone are foundational players like linebacker Tommy Eichenberg and linemen Mike Hall Jr. and Tyleik Williams. But the cupboard is far from bare. Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau return to form one of the nation’s most dangerous pass-rushing duos. They’ll be tasked with keeping Arch Manning uncomfortable and disrupting Texas’s timing.

In the linebacker room, C.J. Hicks steps into a leadership role after flashes of brilliance in 2024. He’s expected to be a full-time starter now, and his athleticism will be crucial against a Texas offense that spreads the field. Transfer additions and young depth will be tested quickly. If there’s a concern for Ohio State, it’s whether the linebackers can hold up in pass coverage and maintain discipline against misdirection—an area Texas often exploits.

The secondary, however, might be the team’s biggest strength. Denzel Burke is back for one more season and will be tasked with locking down the boundary. Davison Igbinosun continues to develop into an elite cover corner, and the safety duo of Sonny Styles and Alabama transfer Caleb Downs gives the Buckeyes versatility, range, and physicality. This group will be asked to cover a dynamic receiving corps, and they’re capable of doing it.

Perhaps the biggest storyline heading into Week 1 is chemistry. Losing 14 draft picks doesn’t just strip you of talent—it strips you of continuity, of trust, of leadership. Can this new group, despite all its potential, gel fast enough? Will the quarterback feel comfortable with his receivers? Will the defense communicate well in high-pressure moments? And most importantly, will the new voices in the locker room take ownership of the culture?

Ryan Day has spoken openly about the challenges and opportunities presented by such roster turnover. He’s placed emphasis on leadership development, accountability, and conditioning—areas that often decide close games. Players like Donovan Jackson, Emeka Egbuka, and Sonny Styles are taking on more vocal roles. The coaching staff believes this group has bonded quickly, but until they’re tested, it’s just theory.

That test will come early. Texas is no longer the “next year” program—they’re a now program. They made the College Football Playoff in 2024, pushed Washington to the brink, and bring back nearly every major contributor. Arch Manning has turned potential into production, and the Texas defense, once their Achilles’ heel, now features several future pros, especially in the front seven.

In many ways, the Ohio State-Texas matchup will be a tone-setter for the entire college football season. A win for the Buckeyes reaffirms their place atop the sport and signals that despite the draft losses, they remain the gold standard. A loss won’t ruin their season, but it will invite questions about whether the roster turnover created more growing pains than anticipated.

It’s also a critical game for momentum. The Buckeyes’ schedule doesn’t get easier. Big Ten newcomers Oregon and USC await. Michigan is still lurking in November. And the College Football Playoff format, now expanded to 12 teams, rewards early wins and punishes stumbles less—but losing home-field advantage or playoff seeding could be costly.

There’s also the psychological element. The 2024 team became battle-hardened through adversity. They fought back after a midseason loss, rallied around leadership, and played their best football when it mattered most. This 2025 team hasn’t had to endure that yet. Week 1 could reveal whether they have that same mental edge.

Special teams may also play a major role. Kicker Jayden Fielding is back and consistent. Jesse Mirco returns at punter and gives the Buckeyes a weapon in the field position battle. Against Texas, in what could be a tight game, one or two plays on special teams might decide the outcome.

Ultimately, Ohio State enters the 2025 season as both the hunted and the unknown. The talent is undeniable. The coaching staff is elite. The expectations are national-title or bust. But the loss of 14 draft picks is no small obstacle. Chemistry, execution, and leadership will need to emerge quickly.

If the Buckeyes answer those questions early, particularly at quarterback, they could be even more dangerous than they were in 2024. But if they struggle to adjust or falter under pressure, the road to a repeat just got much steeper.

All eyes will be on Columbus when the lights shine brightest in Week 1. Ohio State’s quest for back-to-back glory starts with Texas—and the answers to all the offseason questions are coming fast.