We do this on multiple occasions throughout the offseason, and now that we are one week away from seeing YOUR Ohio State Buckeyes on the gridiron in a real, live game, it’s time to make a final call on the football team’s two-deep depth chart. We’ll first do the offense, then look at the defense on Sunday.
Everyone is, of course, extremely interested in whether Kyle McCord or Devin Brown will get the starting nod under center, but there are other positions that seem to be cementing themselves as well.
From the open spots on the offensive line, to some shuffling in the secondary, here is our final call on what the Ohio State football depth chart will look like when the Buckeyes run out of the tunnel to take on the Indiana Hoosiers next Saturday at 3:30 pm ET.
Quarterback
Projected Two Deep
STARTER 1A | Kyle McCord
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6-feet, 3-inches, 222 pounds
Hometown | Mt. Laurel, NJ
STARTER 1B | Devin Brown
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 6-feet, 3-inches, 210 pounds
Hometown | Gilbert, AZ
Where Things Stand
There still is no clear starter, and head coach Ryan Day has confirmed that neither guy has separated himself with both ready to receive playing time in Game 1. Our guess is that Kyle McCord runs onto the field first but that both guys will get equal snaps and have a chance to prove themselves in live, game action.
Running Back
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | TreVeyon Henderson
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 5-feet, 10-inches, 214 pounds
Hometown | Hopewell, VA
BACKUP | Miyan Williams
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 5-feet, 9-inches, 225 pounds
Hometown | Cincinnati, OH
Where Things Stand
We’ve been going against the grain and projecting a healthy Henderson as the starter all along through the offseason. We see nothing to change our minds now, but Williams may get just as many touches as a duo that can take some pressure off the quarterback situation. There is still a ton of depth behind them with Dallan Hayden, Chip Trayanum, etc.
Wide Receiver (Slot)
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Emeka Egbuka
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6-feet, 1-inch, 205 pounds
Hometown | Steilacoom, WA
BACKUP | Xavier Johnson
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 6-feet, 2-inches, 215 pounds
Hometown | Cincinnati, OH
Where Things Stand
Egbuka has this spot locked down as one of the best receivers in the country with team captain and Block “0” jersey recipient Xavier Johnson getting plenty of opportunities behind him. Freshman Brandon Innis has been impressive and is ready should called upon.
Wide Receiver (X)
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Marvin Harrison Jr.
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6-feet, 4-inches, 205 pounds
Hometown | Philadelphia, PA
BACKUP | Jayden Ballard
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6-feet, 2-inches, 198 pounds
Hometown | Massillon, OH
Where Things Stand
We are going to see a lot of Marvin Harrison Jr. this season as the best receiver in college football. Jayden Ballard looks poised to breakout a bit when he gets opportunities.
Wide Receiver (Z)
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Julian Fleming
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 6-feet, 2-inches, 205 pounds
Hometown | Catawissa, PA
BACKUP | Carnell Tate
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6-feet, 2-inches, 180 pounds
Hometown | Chicago, IL
Where Things Stand
If healthy, Fleming could be a breakout star this season, especially with defenses looking to take away Harrison Jr. and Egbuka. However, Carnell Tate has looked awfully impressive and is pushing for significant playing time. Will he elbow his way into the top spot before the end of the season? Either way, he’s a big part of the future of the receiver room.
Tight End
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Cade Stover
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 6-feet, 4-inches, 255 pounds
Hometown | Mansfield, OH
BACKUP | Joe Royer
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 6-feet, 5-inches, 255 pounds
Hometown | Cincinnati, OH
Where Things Stand
This position is in a great spot with plenty of depth and veteran leadership. Stover has turned himself into one of the best tight ends in the country, and Royer isn’t far behind with the skillset he possesses. Even behind that, Gee Scott Jr. could factor in with his speed and athleticism to provide a matchup nightmare.
Left Tackle
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Josh Simmons
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6-feet, 5-inches, 310 pounds
Hometown | San Diego, CA
BACKUP | Tegra Tshabola
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 6-feet, 6-inches, 330 pounds
Hometown | West Chester, OH
Where Things Stand
We knew there would be some shuffling along the offensive line, and sure enough, it looks like incoming transfer, Josh Simmons, has locked down this all-important starting slot. Behind him, Tegra Tshabola is ready and won’t be too big of a drop off if called upon after switching from the right side.
Left Guard
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Donovan Jackson
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6-feet, 4-inches, 320 pounds
Hometown | Bellaire, TX
BACKUP | Enokk Vimahi
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6-feet, 4-inches, 310 pounds
Hometown | Kahuku, HI
Where Things Stand
Jackson is one of the lone commodities and is the unquestioned starter at left guard. There could be multiple answers behind him, but Vimahi would be first off the bench to take his place if there was a need.
Center
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Carson Hinzman
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 6-feet, 4-inches, 300 pounds
Hometown | Spring Valley, WI
BACKUP | Victor Cutler Jr.
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 6-feet, 3-inches, 300 pounds
Hometown | West Monroe, LA
Where Things Stand
This was a tightly contested position and may still go towards the transfer Cutler at some point, but Wisconsin native Carson Hinzman has enjoyed most of the time with the first team in the spring. He’ll most likely trot out there with Cutler needing to take the spot from him this late in the game.
Right Tackle
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Josh Fryar
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 6-feet, 6-inches, 320 pounds
Hometown | Beech Grove, IN
BACKUP | Luke Montgomery
Class in 2023 | Freshman
Measurables | 6-feet, 4-inches, 302 pounds
Hometown | Findlay, OH
Where Things Stand
Luke Montgomery really separated himself as an offensive lineman that can be counted on as a freshman, but the experience of Fryar moving back over to the right side will win out to start the season it appears. Don’t be surprised if the younger Montgomery continues to push and eventually elbows his way into more and more playing time.
Right Guard
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Matthew Jones
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 6-feet, 4-inches, 312 pounds
Hometown | Brooklyn, NY
BACKUP | Enokk Vimahi
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6-feet, 4-inches, 310 pounds
Hometown | Kahuku, HI
Where Things Stand
We know that Matthew Jones will help anchor the offensive line as a returning starter, and that he’ll be stamped in at the right guard spot. Behind him, Enokk Vimahi would be the next in line, just like he would on the left side. If both guard spots were to go down, the most likely answer would probably be freshman Austin Siereveld who has quickly risen because of his play during the spring.
Kicker
STARTER | Parker Lewis
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 6-feet, 3-inches, 220 pounds
Hometown | Phoenix, AZ
BACKUP | Jayden Fielding
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 6-feet, 175 pounds
Hometown | League City, TX
Where Things Stand
This competition remains too close to call and it could be huge for Ohio State after losing the most accurate kicker in OSU history, Noah Ruggles, to graduation. Lewis has more experience and transferred in from USC for a reason, but Fielding did have kickoff duties last year. Will it be a split between field goals and kickoffs? We’ll see, and it’s very likely that this goes into the season still unsettled.
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