As the 2026 college football season approaches, all eyes are once again on the Ohio State Buckeyes—a program whose aura of dominance has only grown in recent years. Despite the loss of four offensive and eight defensive starters, the Buckeyes are reloading rather than rebuilding, and the anticipation in Columbus couldn’t be higher. With a roster brimming with talent, deep institutional backing, and a coaching staff led by the ever-competitive Ryan Day, Ohio State is poised for another run at national glory. But what’s really driving this perennial powerhouse? Let’s take a closer look at the key players, recruiting battles, and off-field dynamics shaping the Buckeyes’ 2026 campaign.
One of the most compelling stories heading into the fall is the rise of senior defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. Once a highly touted national top-100 recruit out of Hollywood, Florida, Jackson is now the only member of Ohio State’s celebrated 2022 recruiting class still donning scarlet and gray. His journey has been anything but linear. After redshirting in 2022 and seeing limited action in 2023, Jackson emerged as a vital backup during the Buckeyes’ 2024 national championship run. That season, he notched 16 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, and 1.5 sacks, giving fans a glimpse of his disruptive potential.
In 2025, Jackson’s impact grew exponentially. Starting all 14 games, he finished tenth on the team in tackles with 28, while ranking second in both sacks (6.5) and tackles-for-loss (11). He saved some of his best performances for the biggest stages, recording two sacks and 2.5 tackles-for-loss in a statement win over Penn State, and another sack in the high-stakes rivalry victory against Michigan. His relentless pressure—14 quarterback hurries over the final three games—helped propel Ohio State through a gauntlet of postseason matchups, including the Big Ten Championship showdown with Indiana and a playoff tilt against Miami (Florida).
Jackson’s decision to return for a fifth season, forgoing the 2026 NFL Draft, speaks volumes about his commitment to both personal growth and team success. "I wanted to come back to become a complete player, both on and off the field," Jackson shared during a recent spring practice interview. He’s made some notable changes this offseason, switching his uniform number from 97 to 2—his old high school number and a nod to All-American safety Caleb Downs, who wore it the past two years. Jackson has also focused on transforming his physique, "dropping some fat and adding a few pounds of lean muscle," while honing his pass rush techniques. He admits to feeling like a veteran among a younger squad: "I felt old when I looked around on the first day of spring practice," he joked.
At 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, Jackson will anchor a defensive line that returns only one other starter—defensive tackle Eddrick Houston. The Buckeyes’ depth chart at defensive end features a mix of proven talent and promising newcomers, including Alabama transfer Qua Russaw, Zion Grady, Beau Atkinson, Epi Sitanilei, and freshmen Khary Wilder and Dre Quinn. Defensive line coach Larry Johnson and head coach Ryan Day will be relying heavily on Jackson’s leadership, both on the field and in the locker room. There’s even a chance Jackson could switch to the coveted number 0 if his teammates vote him as the Block 'O' recipient for 2026.
While the Buckeyes are laser-focused on the season ahead, recruiting never sleeps in Columbus. The 2027 class is already generating headlines, especially with the news that four-star running back Nigel Newkirk from Gainesville High in Georgia has added Ohio State to his short list. Newkirk, ranked as the nation’s No. 6 running back, had previously left the Buckeyes out of his top five as of November 2025. Now, with Miami, LSU, Alabama, USC, and rival Michigan also in the hunt, Ohio State faces stiff competition for his signature.
Newkirk stands at 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, and he’s been open about his admiration for Alabama’s approach. "I like the fact that every time they have a conversation with me, it’s never about football. That tells me a lot," he told On3/Rivals. Still, Ohio State’s recent success with running backs could tip the scales. Freshman sensation Bo Jackson rushed for 1,090 yards in 2025, turning down both Alabama and Georgia to play in Columbus. The Buckeyes’ track record—Quinshon Judkins and TreyVeyon Henderson also eclipsed 1,000 yards in 2024—remains a powerful draw for elite recruits, even as coaching changes shake up the staff. Former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly departed after 2024, and Brian Hartline left for a head coaching job at South Florida after the 2025 campaign. Yet, the Buckeyes’ ability to attract and develop top talent seems undiminished.
Behind the scenes, Ohio State’s sustained excellence is fueled by more than just X’s and O’s. The program’s institutional support is virtually unmatched in the NIL and revenue-sharing era. With deep ties to L Brands and a robust local and national donor base, the Buckeyes have thrived since the advent of direct player payments in July 2025. General Manager Mark Pantoni and head coach Ryan Day have deftly navigated the new landscape, ensuring Ohio State remains a destination for the nation’s best athletes. The school’s stronghold on Ohio talent and a well-established pipeline from the Southeast rival anything seen in the SEC, keeping the Buckeyes firmly entrenched among college football’s elite.
Of course, Ohio State’s dominance hasn’t gone unnoticed by rivals. Former Buckeye linebacker Marcus Freeman, now the head coach at Notre Dame, is openly trying to replicate Ohio State’s blueprint. Freeman, who lost three straight years to the Buckeyes as a player, has aggressively pursued former Ohio State recruits in the transfer portal, landing two five-star receiver prospects this offseason. He also hired former Buckeye defensive coordinator Chris Ash to run Notre Dame’s defense. Still, as the Fighting Irish try to close the gap, there’s one area where they lag: NFL coaching experience. While Ohio State boasts two former NFL head coaches in Ryan Day and defensive coordinator Larry Johnson, Notre Dame’s coordinators lack that pedigree—a fact that underscores the Buckeyes’ edge in both preparation and recruiting clout.
The landscape of college football is shifting rapidly, but the Buckeyes’ formula for success seems as sturdy as ever. With a loaded roster, a relentless approach to recruiting, and the unwavering support of their institution and fan base, Ohio State is set to make another serious run at the College Football Playoff. Whether it’s Kenyatta Jackson Jr. chasing quarterbacks, Bo Jackson breaking tackles, or the next wave of blue-chip recruits choosing Columbus, the Buckeyes remain the team to beat—and the standard by which others measure themselves.
As fall camp nears, the pieces are in place for another thrilling chapter in Ohio State football history. The only question left is: who will rise to the occasion and etch their name alongside the legends of the Horseshoe?