Position battles that will decide Ohio State’s ceiling

WR3, RB2, and the shape of the offense

Wide receiver may appear settled at the top, but the battle for the next layer of the rotation still matters. Jeremiah Smith is the focal point, and Brandon Inniss brings experience and leadership, but the competition behind them will help define how the offense functions. Transfers Devin McCuin and Kyle Parker bring experience, while Chris Henry Jr. adds high-end upside as a freshman. Ryan Day has hinted at a deeper rotation this season, which would represent a shift from the top heavy receiver usage of past years. That decision will shape how the offense distributes touches and handles key situations. If one player clearly emerges as the third option, the offense gains structure and defined roles. If multiple players remain interchangeable, Ohio State gains flexibility but risks lacking a consistent secondary option in critical moments. The question is not just who plays, it’s how the hierarchy develops.

Tavien St. Clair to Chris Henry Jr. pic.twitter.com/jYUsEqTnfU

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) April 18, 2026 Running back presents a different kind of challenge, largely due to injuries. Bo Jackson and Isaiah West missed spring recovering from shoulder surgeries, while Legend Bey dealt with a hamstring issue. That left players like Ja’Kobi Jackson and Favour Akih to take the majority of reps. The result is an incomplete evaluation. A healthy Bo Jackson provides proven production, but the shape of the room behind him remains unclear. Whether Ja’Kobi Jackson becomes a trusted complement or Bey’s explosiveness demands touches will determine how versatile and dynamic the offense can be. Until the room is fully healthy, this remains one of the most difficult positions to project.

The defensive battles that will define the ceiling

On defense, the question is not whether Ohio State will be good, it’s whether it can remain elite. Replacing players like Caleb Downs and Lorenzo Styles Jr. creates uncertainty in the secondary, particularly at safety and nickel. Jaylen McClain provides stability, but the rest of the group, including Terry Moore, Earl Little Jr, and Leroy Roker III, will determine how the defense structures itself on the back end. Until those roles are clearly defined, the defense remains less settled than it was a year ago. Linebacker carries a different kind of importance. With Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles gone in the top ten of the NFL Draft, Ohio State must replace not just athleticism, but communication and consistency. Christian Alliegro looks to be positioned for a major role, but the competition between Riley Pettijohn and Payton Pierce will shape the unit’s identity.

Forget Arvell Reese. Wisconsin LB (#0) Christian Alliegro is 6’4 245lbs and is one of the best athletes I’ve ever watched at LB. Oh and he graded out as a blue chip prospect… pic.twitter.com/sfxacscId2

— Big Hank (@HankKnowsBall) October 25, 2025 At defensive end, the spot opposite Kenyatta Jackson Jr. remains wide open. With Zion Grady, Qua Russaw, and Beau Atkinson all competing. The pieces are there, but like much of the defense, the unit’s ceiling depends on how quickly those roles are solidified and which one of those guys steps up.

The verdict: Ceiling is about solving the right problems fast

Ohio State’s 2026 roster is talented enough that it does not need every position battle to produce a star. But it does need to solve the right ones, and solve them quickly. The offensive line must stabilize to support everything else. The running back room must get healthy enough to create balance. The receiver rotation must find clarity, whether through hierarchy or depth. And the defense must define its structure at safety, nickel, and linebacker quickly enough to play with confidence and instinct. These are not secondary storylines. They are the difference between a team that has championship talent and one that fully realizes it.