COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State enters the 2026 season with expectations that have become familiar in Columbus. The Buckeyes are expected to compete for championships.
They have an experienced quarterback, one of the most talented wide receivers in college football, and a roster filled with players who were among the best recruits in the country coming out of high school. But even teams with championship expectations enter fall camp with questions.
Here are the biggest questions entering fall camp as the countdown to August begins.
How quickly can Arthur Smith put his stamp on the offense?
The biggest change on offense comes at coordinator. Arthur Smith takes over after Brian Hartline’s time leading the unit, bringing with him years of experience designing offenses in the NFL.
Smith’s offenses have traditionally emphasized balance, efficiency and creating favorable matchups through both the running and passing games.
Now the question is how that philosophy fits with Ohio State’s collection of elite skill players.
The Buckeyes do not need to completely change what has made them successful. They have returning quarterback Julian Sayin, one of the best receivers in Jeremiah Smith and a talented group of skill players around them.
Who emerges as the No. 2 receiver behind Jeremiah Smith?
Smith enters the season as the focal point of the passing attack, but Ohio State will need another receiver to emerge.
Senior wideout Brandon Inniss enters the season as the most experienced options in the room. The former five-star recruit has shown flashes throughout his career, but 2026 provides an opportunity for him to become a consistent contributor.
True freshman Chris Henry Jr. is another player to watch. The talented receiver has the size and athletic ability to create matchup problems, but the next step is turning that potential into production as a young player.
Can Bo Jackson become a centerpiece of the offense with Legend Bey?
The running game could become one of the biggest keys to the offense.
Sophomore Bo Jackson gives the Buckeyes a versatile option who can impact games in multiple ways. Jackson returns after a productive freshman season and gives Ohio State a versatile weapon capable of impacting the game as both a runner and receiver. But he is not the only option in the room.
Freshman Legend Bey quickly became one of the more talked-about players during spring practice, drawing praise from running backs coach Carlos Locklyn and his teammates.
Locklyn said Bey’s skill set gives him a chance to be a special player, and he believes there could be opportunities to get multiple backs on the field together.
“I’m going to be stumping for that,” Locklyn said when discussing the possibility of using Bey and Jackson together. He added that the Buckeyes could explore different two-back combinations because of the talent in the room.
That could fit well with Arthur Smith’s offensive background.
Who replaces Caleb Downs’ leadership in the secondary?
Replacing an All-American player is always difficult. Replacing what he meant to the defense may be even harder. Caleb Downs was not only one of Ohio State’s most productive defenders, but he was also one of the leaders responsible for communication and getting players lined up correctly.
The Buckeyes have recruited well in the secondary, but fall camp will determine who takes over that role. The question is not simply who replaces Downs’ statistics.nIt is who becomes the voice of the defense.
Ohio State has consistently developed elite defensive backs, and the next group will be challenged with maintaining that standard.
Who emerges as the next leader of the linebacker room?
Ohio State has made a significant investment in rebuilding its linebacker room, and fall camp will provide a first look at who is ready to take over a larger role.
One of the biggest names to watch is Riley Pettijohn.
The former five-star prospect entered Ohio State with high expectations and spent his first season learning behind an experienced group of linebackers. Now, with an opportunity for a larger role, Pettijohn will be one of the players competing to become one of the leaders of the defense.
Linebackers coach James Laurinaitis has consistently emphasized development at the position, and Pettijohn gives Ohio State the type of athletic profile the Buckeyes have targeted at linebacker.
The question is whether Pettijohn can make the jump from talented young player to consistent difference-maker. Not having Pettijohn available in the spring meant the questions would have to be answered in fall camp.
Pettijohn has the talent. Fall camp will determine whether he is ready for the responsibility.
Can the offensive line become a strength?
The biggest question facing Ohio State’s offensive line entering fall camp may not be whether the Buckeyes have enough talent. It is whether they can find the right combination.
Ohio State returns several experienced players up front, but the starting five is still one of the more intriguing position battles entering preseason camp. Ian Moore, Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, Austin Siereveld and Phillip Daniels are expected to be the starting group, though multiple players remain in contention for different spots.
Moore is one of the biggest names to watch after making a strong push during the spring. Siereveld is another important piece. After starting at left tackle last season, there has been discussion about whether he could move back inside to guard depending on how the rest of the competition develops.
The Buckeyes also have depth options including Joshua Padilla, Gabe VanSickle, Sam Greer and Carter Lowe, giving offensive line coach Tyler Bowen several options to work with.
Thanks for the write-up!