Ohio State entered the 2024 preseason atop the national rankings, carrying the weight of championship expectations as the Buckeyes aim to translate preseason hype into on‑field dominance.
At running back, the competition is particularly intense. With James Peoples having transferred to Penn State, Isaiah West is battling for the starting role, while the coaching staff watches his development closely.
Wide receiver duties also remain unsettled. Jeremiah Smith is viewed as the primary option, but Brandon Innis, Devin McCuin and Chris Henry Jr. are all pushing for starting spots, adding depth to the position group.
The offensive line presents several open battles. Carson Hinzman and Luke Montgomery return as center and left guard, yet the positions of left tackle, right tackle and right guard are contested among Austin Siereveld, Ian Moore, Phillip Daniels and Josh Padilla.
Defensive Front and Secondary
On defense, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. is locked into one defensive end spot, while Qua Russaw, Beau Atkinson and Zion Grady compete for the other starting position under the guidance of coordinator Matt Patricia.
The secondary brings back key pieces such as cornerbacks Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Devin Sanchez, and safety Jaylen McClain, though evaluations continue for several other spots.
Adding to the excitement, true freshman Legend Bey is expected to bring explosiveness to the rushing attack alongside Bo Jackson and Isaiah West, offering a dynamic element as the team fine‑tunes its lineup.