We do this exercise a few times of the year, and now it’s time for the most important effort at predicting and projecting the Ohio State football depth chart as we get ready to kick off the season.
So far, there have been numerous observations and interviews that give us a pretty good indication of where things stand, but there always seems to be a surprise or two. As the Buckeyes kick off with a top-five matchup against Notre Dame, we get things cranking on the offensive side of the ball first.
There isn’t a slew of changes from what we last projected, but we feel even better about where things stand. Here is a look at our projected two-deep depth chart on offense for Ohio State football as we embark on game week. Don’t worry, we’ll do the same for the defensive side of the ball this week as well, so stay tuned.
Quarterback
Starter
C.J. Stroud
Class in 2022: RS Sophomore
Measurables: 6 feet, 3 inches, 218 pounds
Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, California
Backup
Kyle McCord
Class in 2022: Sophomore
Measurables: 6 feet, 3 inches, 220 pounds
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Where things stand
Clearly, it’s Stroud all the way here. If there’s a reason to dip into the pool of others, all indications point to McCord being much improved. Behind that, Devin Brown may be the guy of the future under center.
Running Back
Starter
TreVeyon Henderson
Class in 2022: Sophomore
Measurables: 5 feet, 10 inches, 215 pounds
Hometown: Hopewell, Virginia
Backup
Miyan Williams
Class in 2022: RS Sophomore
Measurables: 5 feet, 8 inches, 225 pounds
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Where things stand
It’s a pretty easy call here, too, with Henderson being one of the best backs in the country, though look for Miyan Williams to get more reps than you might think. With the injury to Evan Pryor, freshman Dallan Hayden will need to be ready to provide depth.
Wide Receiver (Slot)
Starter
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Class in 2022: Junior
Measurables: 6 feet, 198 pounds
Hometown: Rockwall, Texas
Backup
Xavier Johnson
Class in 2022: Senior
Measurables: 6 feet, 2 inches, 215 pounds
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Where things stand
Johnson is a bit of a surprise after what we’ve seen throughout camp, especially with the modest injury to Kamayn Babb. He has experience and made plays throughout the offseason, so look for him to get plenty of time in the rotation. Freshman Kaleb Brown will push for time as well; he lost his black-stripe early.
Wide Receiver (Z)
Starter
Julian Fleming
Class in 2022: Junior
Measurables: 6 feet, 2 inches, 207 pounds
Hometown: Catawissa, Pennsylvania
Backup
Emeka Egbuka
Class in 2022: Sophomore
Measurables: 6 feet, 1 inch, 205 pounds
Hometown: Steilacoom, Washington
Where things stand
We were on the Fleming train before others, and we still feel good about him nailing down the starting spot based on comments from the coaches. However, Egbuka is too talented to keep off the field and will also see a lot of time. This could easily flip the other way.
Wide Receiver (X)
Starter
Marvin Harrison Jr
Class in 2022: Sophomore
Measurables: 6 feet, 3 inches, 205 pounds
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Backup
Jayden Ballard
Class in 2022: RS Freshman
Measurables: 6 feet, 2 inches, 195 pounds
Hometown: Massillon, Ohio
Where things stand
Don’t be surprised if Harrison ends up being a breakout superstar. He’s a freakish athlete with good genes and has the starting spot locked up here. Beyond that, Jayden Ballard will most likely spell him when he needs a break.
Tight End
Starter
Cade Stover
Class in 2022: Junior
Measurables: 6 feet, 4 inches, 255 pounds
Hometown: Mansfield, Ohio
Backup
Mitch Rossi
Class in 2022: Senior
Measurables: 6 feet, 1 inch, 250 pounds
Hometown: Franklin, Tennessee
Where things stand
Though Joe Royer and Gee Scott Jr are talented and could find their way into the mix later in the year, both from observations and what the coaching staff has said point to Stover and Rossi being the two guys that have separated themselves in the fall.
Center
Starter
Luke Wypler
Class in 2022: Sophomore
Measurables: 6 feet, 3 inches, 300 pounds
Hometown: Montvale, New Jersey
Backup
Jakob James
Class in 2022: Sophomore
Measurables: 6 feet, 4 inches, 295 pounds
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Where things stand
No change here. Wypler is a Rimington Trophy candidate and has the starting spot nailed down. From what we saw in camp, James is next in line.
Left Guard
Starter
Donovan Jackson
Class in 2022: Sophomore
Measurables: 6 feet, 4 inches, 300 pounds
Hometown: Bellaire, Texas
Backup
Enokk Vimahi
Class in 2022: Sophomore
Measurables: 6 feet, 4 inches, 310 -pounds
Hometown: Kahuku, Hawaii
Where things stand
We’ve known who the starters are on the offensive line since spring, and we now have more clarity on the depth behind them. Donovan Jackson will be the left guard with Vimahi next up when needed.
Right Guard
Starter
Matthew Jones
Class in 2022: Senior
Measurables: 6 feet, 4 inches, 310 pounds
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Backup
Ben Christman
Class in 2022: Sophomore
Measurables: 6 feet, 6 inches, 310 pounds
Hometown: Akron, OH
Where things stand
Same deal here. Matthew Jones will trot out there first and be the main option at the other guard spot. Ben Christman seems to have separated himself from the others that were competing for the second level.
Left Tackle
Starter
Paris Johnson Jr
Class in 2022: Junior
Measurables: 6 feet, 6 inches, 315 pounds
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Backup
Zen Michalski
Class in 2022: RS Freshman
Measurables: 6 feet, 7 inches, 305 pounds
Hometown: Floyds Knobs, Indiana
Where things stand
This is where we had things projected at the beginning of fall and see no reason to change it. Johnson is showing up as a first-round projection in multiple NFL mock drafts and should have a superstar breakout year. Michalski might be the answer next year, but for now, he’ll be the option when Johnson is out of the game or moved to another position because of need.
Right Tackle
Starter
Dawand Jones
Class in 2022: Senior
Measurables: 6 feet, 8 inches, 360 pounds
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Backup
Josh Fryar
Class in 2022: Sophomore
Measurables: 6 feet, 6 inches, 315 pounds
Hometown: Beech Grove, Indiana
Where things stand
Give the OSU coaches a lot of credit for mining the talent of Dawand Jones out of high school. He wasn’t a highly recruited kid but turned into one whale of a tackle that’s going to the NFL next season. Josh Fryar will get time, but not in the most intense situations unless there’s some shuffling that goes on because of availability.
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