The pillars of 2026: Ohio State’s five most impactful seniors

Every Ohio State team has stars. The difference between a contender and a champion is usually something else: experience in the right places.

Heading into 2026, the Buckeyes have a group of seniors whose impact goes beyond production. They anchor key position groups, stabilize younger talent, and define how consistent this team can be on a week-to-week basis.

These are not just veterans. They are the structural pieces of the roster.

Here are the five most impactful seniors on Ohio State’s 2026 team.

1. Kenyatta Jackson Jr: The edge presence everything depends on

No senior on this roster carries more pressure or upside than Kenyatta Jackson Jr.

Jackson enters 2026 coming off a true breakout season in 2025, where he recorded 28 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks, emerging as one of Ohio State’s most consistent pass rushers. More importantly, that production came steadily, not in isolated bursts, with all of his sacks coming in Big Ten play.

That matters because it signals translatability. Jackson is not just flashing against overmatched opponents. He is producing in the exact environments Ohio State will be judged in.

Physically, he fits the Larry Johnson prototype at 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, with the length and power to win on the edge. But what changed in 2025 was his approach. He became more refined as a pass rusher, showing better use of hands, improved leverage, and a more complete understanding of how to set up offensive tackles over the course of a game.

Now, the role changes. Jackson is no longer a complementary piece. He is the focal point of the pass rush. The player offenses will game plan for. The one expected to win on third down without help.

If he takes another step and pushes toward double-digit sacks, Ohio State’s defense reaches a different level.

2. Jermaine Matthews Jr: The tone setter in the secondary

In a secondary full of talent, Jermaine Matthews Jr. is the one who brings stability.

Matthews enters his senior season as one of the most experienced defensive backs on the roster, having started throughout 2025 and played meaningful snaps even earlier in his career, including during Ohio State’s national championship run.

His value starts with consistency. Matthews is a high-level man coverage corner who can mirror routes, stay attached through breaks, and contest at the catch point. He combines that with strong awareness in zone, making him a versatile piece in multiple coverage schemes.

What separates him, though, is competitiveness. He plays with an edge. He challenges receivers, trusts his technique, and rarely backs down in one-on-one situations. That mentality sets the tone for the entire secondary.

Statistically, Matthews has been a steady presence rather than a high-variance playmaker, contributing pass breakups, tackles, and occasional turnovers without becoming a liability in coverage.

In 2026, his role expands again. With younger corners developing around him, Matthews becomes the leader of the room. The player responsible for consistency on the outside. The one who allows the defense to be aggressive elsewhere.

If Ohio State’s secondary reaches its ceiling, it will start with him.

3. Carson Hinzman: The communicator in the middle

At center, Carson Hinzman might be the most quietly important player on the entire offense.

His impact does not show up in traditional stats, but it shows up everywhere else. Hinzman is responsible for protections, line calls, and adjustments at the line of scrimmage. In an offense built on tempo and spacing, that communication is critical. One missed call can derail an entire drive.

By 2025, Hinzman had established himself as a reliable starter, anchoring the interior of the offensive line with strong technique and awareness. He consistently handled interior pressure, worked effectively in combination blocks, and showed the ability to adjust on the fly.

His development has been steady. He may not be the most physically dominant lineman on the roster, but he is one of the most dependable. And at center, dependability is everything.

In 2026, with a new mix of players around him, his role becomes even more important. He is the one who keeps the unit connected.

4. Luke Montgomery: The enforcer inside

Next to Hinzman, Luke Montgomery provides the physical edge.

Montgomery enters his senior season after turning potential into consistency in 2025. What once looked like projection has become reliability. He has developed into a strong, technically sound guard capable of handling both power and movement in the run game.

His strength is his versatility within the position. Montgomery can pull, climb to the second level, and anchor against interior defensive linemen. He plays with a physicality that shows up on tape, especially in the run game, where he consistently creates movement at the point of attack.

That presence matters for the identity of the offense. Ohio State wants to be balanced. It wants to be able to run the ball when needed, especially in high-leverage situations. Montgomery is central to that.

Alongside Hinzman, he gives Ohio State one of the more stable interior offensive line combinations in the conference. And for a unit still figuring out its tackle spots, that stability is critical.

5. Earl Little Jr: The modern nickel chess piece

Few players on the roster may impact the defense in as many ways as Earl Little Jr.

The Florida State transfer arrives with proven production, recording 76 tackles and 4 interceptions in 2025 while starting 11 games. That kind of experience is rare for a player stepping into a new system.

But it is how he fits that makes him so important. Little is expected to take over the nickel role, one of the most demanding positions in modern defenses. He will be asked to cover slot receivers, match up with tight ends, support the run, and contribute in pressure packages.

That requires versatility, and Little has it. He brings physicality, strong instincts, and the ability to process quickly, all of which are essential for playing inside. His background at safety only enhances that, giving him a broader understanding of coverage and positioning.

More importantly, he gives Ohio State flexibility. With Little in the slot, the defense can disguise coverages, rotate responsibilities, and create pressure looks without sacrificing coverage integrity. In today’s game, that is invaluable.

Honourable mentions: Depth with real impact

Just outside the top five, several seniors could still play major roles.

James Smith brings interior defensive line experience and physicality.

• Terry Moore adds veteran presence at safety.
• Brandon Inniss provides leadership and production at wide receiver.
• Christian Alliegro offers proven linebacker experience and versatility.

Each of them could easily become essential pieces depending on how the season unfolds.

The bottom line

Championship teams are rarely defined by just their stars. They are defined by the players who hold everything together.

For Ohio State in 2026, that group starts with Kenyatta Jackson Jr, Jermaine Matthews Jr, Carson Hinzman, Luke Montgomery, and Earl Little Jr.

Five seniors. Five different roles. One common thread. If they hit their ceilings, Ohio State will not just be talented. It will be complete.