The 2026 Ohio State Buckeyes football team officially represent The Ohio State University as they are a member of the Big Ten Conference (B1G) during the 2026 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They are led by their eighth-year head coach Ryan Day, and also play home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. It is the Buckeyes' 137th season overall and 114th as a member of the Big Ten. On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the Scarlet vs Gray Spring Game was played.
Ohio State's regular season winning streak since Week 1 of the previous year was snapped with a Week 2 road loss to Texas. As a result, the Buckeyes failed to match their 12–0 regular season record from 2025. It was also the largest fourth-quarter collapse by an AP No. 1 team in NCAA Football history.
During their Week 3 blowout win at home against Kent State, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith broke Michael Jenkins's record for the most receiving yards in Ohio State Football history.
During their Week 5 road win against Iowa, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith broke Chris Olave's record for the most receiving touchdowns and Emeka Egbuka's record for the most receptions in Ohio State Football history.
Offseason
Coaching staff changes
Departures Brian Hartline Offensive coordinator South Florida Head coach Marcus Johnson Assistant offensive line coach Arkansas Offensive line coach Tony Washington Jr. Assistant defensive line coach Kentucky Outside linebackers/Defensive ends coach Michael Hunter Jr. Assistant defensive backs coach Los Angeles Rams Cornerbacks coach
Additions Cortez Hankton Wide receivers coach LSU Wide receivers coach Anthony Schlegel Associate director of strength and conditioning None Arthur Smith Offensive coordinator Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive coordinator Robby Discher Special teams coordinator Illinois Special teams coordinator
Players drafted into the NFL
14Tennessee TitansCarnell TateWR15New York GiantsArvell ReeseLB17Washington CommandersSonny StylesLB111Dallas CowboysCaleb DownsS236Houston TexansKayden McDonaldDT261Los Angeles RamsMax KlareTE262Buffalo BillsDavison IgbinosunCB387Miami DolphinsWill KacmarekTE5172New Orleans SaintsLorenzo Styles Jr.S6214Indianapolis ColtsCaden CurryDE7231Atlanta FalconsEthan OnianwaOTUndraftedNew Orleans SaintsCJ DonaldsonRBUndraftedCarolina PanthersTywone Malone Jr.DTUndraftedCleveland BrownsJohn FerlmannLS
Transfers
Outgoing The Buckeyes lost a total 38 players to the transfer portal. Devontae Armstrong #73 IOL 6'5" 314 Sophomore Elyria, OH Miami (OH) Jarquez Carter #91 DL 6'1" 288 Freshman Newberry, FL Miami (FL) Jackson Courville #96 K 5'10" 185 Junior Centerville, OH Tulane Faheem Delane #10 S 6'1" 210 Freshman Good Hope, MD LSU Sam Dixon #24 RB 5'11" 206 Sophomore Pickerington, OH South Carolina Logan George #48 EDGE 6'4" 260 Junior Pocatello, ID Washington Mylan Graham #5 WR 6'1" 195 Sophomore Fort Wayne, IN Notre Dame Diante Griffin #43 CB 5'9" 187 Senior Lima, OH Ball State Cody Haddad #30 S 5'11" 186 Freshman Cleveland, OH Iowa Malik Hartford #9 S 6'2" 200 Junior West Chester, OH UCLA C. J. Hicks #11 LB 6'3" 243 Senior Dayton, OH South Florida Isaiah Kema #56 IOL 6'3" 312 Freshman Lubbock, TX Utah Lincoln Kienholz #3 QB 6'2" 214 Junior Pierre, SD Louisville Dominic Kirks #55 EDGE 6'4" 267 Sophomore Cleveland, OH Northwestern Shawn Lodge #80 WR 5'9" 182 Senior Akron, OH Walsh Mason Maggs #16 QB 6'2" 226 Senior Dublin, OH IUP Jayvon McFadden #71 IOL 6'3" 295 Freshman Upper Marlboro, MD Colorado Nick McLarty #19 P 6'7" 255 Sophomore Melbourne, VIC Arizona State Eric Mensah #90 DL 6'2" 302 Sophomore Stafford, VA Virginia Tech Joshua Mickens #52 EDGE 6'3" 250 Junior Indianapolis, IN UConn Bukari Miles Jr. #34 CB 6'1" 192 Sophomore West Chester, OH Incarnate Word Bodpegn Miller #18 WR 6'3" 196 Freshman Mansfield, OH Washington Grant Mills #41 LS 5'10" 223 Sophomore Mooresville, NC UMass Keenan Nelson Jr. #16 S 6'0" 205 Senior Philadelphia, PA Georgia State Trajen Odom #88 DL 6'3" 295 Freshman Inglewood, CA Arkansas James Peoples #20 RB 5'10" 206 Sophomore San Antonio, TX Penn State Quincy Porter #11 WR 6'4" 210 Freshman New Milford, NJ Notre Dame Trey Robinette #14 QB 6'3" 189 Freshman Washington Court House, OH Bryson Rodgers #13 WR 6'2" 192 Junior Tampa, FL South Florida Maxwell Roy #93 DL 6'3" 301 Freshman Philadelphia, PA UCLA Aaron Scott Jr. #5 CB 6'0" 195 Sophomore Springfield, OH Oregon Justin Terry #65 OT 6'5" 324 Sophomore Pickerington, OH Virginia Tech Jelani Thurman #15 TE 6'6" 250 Junior Fairburn, GA North Carolina Ahmed Tounkara #59 DL 6'0" 280 Sophomore Dublin, OH Western Michigan Tegra Tshabola #77 OL 6'6" 322 Senior West Chester, OH Kentucky Bryce West #12 CB 5'11" 197 Sophomore Cleveland, OH Wisconsin Dorian Williams #84 WR 6'2" 213 Sophomore Cincinnati, OH Youngstown State Damarion Witten #81 WR 6'3" 206 Sophomore Cleveland, OH Miami (OH)
Incoming The Buckeyes added 22 players from the transfer portal. Christian Alliegro #14 LB 6'4" 241 Senior Darien, CT Wisconsin Landon Beal #61 LS 6'0" 208 RS Sophomore Grove City, OH Maine Cam Calhoun #18 CB 6'0" 176 RS Junior Cincinnati, OH Alabama Brady Geibel #19 QB 6'4" 207 RS Freshman Sugarcreek, OH Furman Connor Hawkins #96 K 6'1" 200 RS Sophomore Liberty Hill, TX Baylor Ja'Kobi Jackson #24 RB 5'11" 217 RS Senior Pensacola, FL Florida Dominick Kelly #24 CB 6'2" 190 Sophomore St. Petersburg, FL Georgia Earl Little Jr. #1 S 6'0" 198 RS Junior Fort Lauderdale, FL Florida State Justyn Martin #16 QB 6'4" 230 RS Senior Inglewood, CA Maryland Devin McCuin #3 WR 6'0" 189 Senior Jacksonville, TX UTSA Terry Moore #11 S 6'0" 200 RS Senior Washington, NC Duke Kyle Parker #5 WR 5'10" 195 RS Junior Allen, TX LSU Nate Riegle #56 DE 6'2" 215 RS Sophomore Findlay, OH Ohio Dalton Riggs #48 LS 6'2" 231 RS Senior Eagle, ID UCF Qua Russaw #4 EDGE 6'2" 240 RS Junior Montgomery, AL Alabama James Smith #3 DL 6'2" 314 Senior Montgomery, AL Alabama John Walker #55 DL 6'3" 303 RS Junior Kissimmee, FL UCF Vasean Washington # OT 6'5" 285 RS Senior Springfield, OH Dartmouth Hunter Welcing #84 TE 6'3" 246 RS Senior Deer Park, IL Northwestern Mason Williams #86 TE 6'4" 247 Senior Mogadore, OH Ohio Ashton Yeager #59 DT 6'2" 280 RS Freshman Findlay, OH Bowling Green Brady Young #93 P 6'3" 207 RS Senior Perrysburg, OH Houston Christian
Recruiting class
Recruiting class rankings On3 3 2 5 10 13 28 247 Sports 5 3 1 17 10 28 ESPN 9 3 2 18 8 28
Walk-ons
Schedule
Rankings
Game summaries vs Ball State
Statistics BALLOSU First downs 13 32 Plays–yards 82–165 72–671 Rushes–yards 23–45 35–237 Passing yards 120 434 Passing: –– 20–37–1 31–37–1 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 28:22 31:38 Team Category Player Statistics Ball State Passing Keldric Luster 18/33, 89 yards, INT Rushing Elijah Jackson 2 carries, 20 yards Receiving Elisha Durham 1 reception, 26 yards Ohio State Passing Julian Sayin 21/25, 320 yards, 3 TD Rushing Bo Jackson 9 carries, 83 yards, TD Receiving Jeremiah Smith 8 receptions, 151 yards, 2 TD
at No. 4 Texas
Statistics OSUTEX First downs 19 25 Plays–yards 63-372 78-336 Rushes–yards 31-94 41-141 Passing yards 278 195 Passing: –– 17–32–1 23–37–1 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 28:32 31:28 Team Category Player Statistics Ohio State Passing Julian Sayin 17/32, 278 yards, TD, INT Rushing Bo Jackson 19 carries, 74 yards Receiving Jeremiah Smith 8 receptions, 164 yards, TD Texas Passing Arch Manning 23/37, 195 yards, TD, INT Rushing Hollywood Smothers 21 carries, 74 yards, 2 TD Receiving Emmett Mosley V 5 receptions, 65 yards
vs Kent State
Statistics KENTOSU First downs 6 25 Plays–yards 55–134 66–527 Rushes–yards 34–71 38–145 Passing yards 63 382 Passing: –– 8–21–1 22–28–2 Turnovers 3 2 Time of possession 29:39 30:21 Team Category Player Statistics Kent State Passing Dru DeShields 6/15, 35 yards, INT Rushing Brandon White 5 carries, 21 yards Receiving Wayne Harris 2 receptions, 29 yards Ohio State Passing Julian Sayin 18/22, 241 yards, 2 TD Rushing Bo Jackson 11 carries, 73 yards, TD Receiving Jeremiah Smith 5 receptions, 85 yards
vs Illinois (Illibuck)
Statistics ILLOSU First downs 25 27 Plays–yards 71–462 68–518 Rushes–yards 33–199 32–151 Passing yards 263 367 Passing: –– 21–38–0 27–36–0 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 30:38 29:22 Team Category Player Statistics Illinois Passing Katin Houser 21/37, 263 yards, TD Rushing Aidan Laughery 11 carries, 113 yards Receiving Hudson Clement 5 receptions, 87 yards Ohio State Passing Julian Sayin 27/36, 367 yards, 4 TD Rushing Ja'Kobi Jackson 10 carries, 56 yards, TD Receiving Jeremiah Smith 12 receptions, 217 yards, 4 TD
at No. 14 Iowa
Statistics OSUIOWA First downs 25 15 Plays–yards 74–484 53–238 Rushes–yards 47–160 21–39 Passing yards 324 199 Passing: –– 20–27–1 17–32–1 Time of possession 38:02 21:58 Team Category Player Statistics Ohio State Passing Julian Sayin 20/27, 324 yards, 3 TD Rushing Ja'Kobi Jackson 14 carries, 72 yards, TD Receiving Jeremiah Smith 11 receptions, 206 yards, 2 TD Iowa Passing Hank Brown 12/27, 132 yards, INT Rushing Kamari Moulton 11 carries, 27 yards Receiving DJ Vonnahme 6 receptions, 64 yards
vs Maryland
Statistics MDOSU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Maryland Passing Rushing Receiving Ohio State Passing Rushing Receiving
at Indiana
Statistics OSUIU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Ohio State Passing Rushing Receiving Indiana Passing Rushing Receiving
at USC
Statistics OSUUSC First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Ohio State Passing Rushing Receiving USC Passing Rushing Receiving
vs Oregon
Statistics OREOSU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Oregon Passing Rushing Receiving Ohio State Passing Rushing Receiving
vs Northwestern
Statistics NUOSU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Northwestern Passing Rushing Receiving Ohio State Passing Rushing Receiving
at Nebraska
Statistics OSUNEB First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Ohio State Passing Rushing Receiving Nebraska Passing Rushing Receiving
vs Michigan (The Game)
Statistics MICHOSU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Michigan Passing Rushing Receiving Ohio State Passing Rushing Receiving
Personnel Roster
Depth chart
Statistics
Team Ohio State Opp Points per game 56 3 Total First downs Rushing Passing Penalty Rushing yards Avg per rush Avg per game Rushing touchdowns Passing yards 1,958919 Att-Comp-Int Avg per pass Avg per game Passing touchdowns Total offense Avg per play Avg per game Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Avg per game Punts-Yards Avg per punt Time of possession/Game 3rd down conversions 3rd Down Pct. 4th down conversions 4th Down Pct. Sacks-Yards Touchdowns scored Field goals-Attempts PAT-Attempts
Individual leaders
Offense Passing statistics # NAME POS RAT CMP ATT YDS AVG/G CMP% TD INT LONG
Rushing statistics # NAME POS ATT GAIN AVG TD LONG AVG/G
Receiving statistics # NAME POS CTH YDS AVG TD LONG AVG/G
Defense Defense statistics Key: POS: Position, SOLO: Solo Tackles, AST: Assisted Tackles, TOT: Total Tackles, TFL: Tackles-for-loss, SACK: Quarterback Sacks, INT: Interceptions, BU: Passes Broken Up, PD: Passes Defended, QBH: Quarterback Hits, FR: Fumbles Recovered, FF: Forced Fumbles, BLK: Kicks or Punts Blocked, SAF: Safeties, TD : Touchdown
Special teams Kicking statistics
Kickoff statistics # NAME POS KICKS YDS AVG TB OB