You can never rest easy in today’s day and age of thinking a big-time college football program has its roster intact, and that would of course be the same for Ohio State. With Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) and the transfer portal becoming a bigger and bigger part of roster management these days, getting to the point where a coaching staff knows what the makeup of the 85 scholarship players it’ll have on the roster is a game of whack a mole at times.
However, getting down to that number needs to happen by the time preseason camp starts, and it’s always a worthwhile exercise to dissect where things stand. Thanks to Joey Kauffman and our friends over at the Columbus Dispatch who did a lot of the research and leg work, we know that OSU is currently at 88 players on scholarship, meaning some kind of attrition will need to occur between now and fall camp.
Being over the limit is nothing new at this point in the season because teams know there will most likely be some subtractions, especially when the next transfer portal window opens. Here’s where things stand by position after the first transfer portal window closed and the deadline to declare for the NFL draft has come and gone.
Quarterback
Players Currently on Scholarship (4)
- Tristan Gebbia, Redshirt-Senior
- Kyle McCord, Junior
- Devin Brown, Redshirt-freshman
- Lincoln Kienholz, Freshman
Dissecting the Situation
Don’t expect any changes here. Ryan Day has always stated that he wants to have four scholarship quarterbacks because of the need for depth and that’s what he has after the transfer of Tristan Gebbia recently.
Running Back
Players Currently on Scholarship (5)
- Chip Trayanum, Redshirt-junior
- Miyan Williams, Redshirt-junior
- TreVeyon Henderson, Junior
- Evan Pryor, Redshirt-sophomore
- Dallan Hayden, Sophomore
Dissecting the Situation
There are plenty of options here and we saw how much depth is needed at this position from the myriad of injuries that piled up last season, especially with TreVeyon Henderson working his way back from surgery. The wildcard here is Chip Trayanum. He was needed last year, but if Evan Pryor and Henderson are fully healthy, we might see him utilized back at linebacker.
Wide Receiver
Players Currently on Scholarship (13)
- Xavier Johnson, Redshirt-senior
- Julian Fleming, Senior
- Emeka Egbuka, Junior
- Marvin Harrison Jr., Junior
- Jayden Ballard, Redshirt-Sophomore
- Kojo Antwi, Sophomore
- Kaleb Brown, Sophomore
- Caleb Burton, Redshirt-Freshman
- Kyion Grayes, Redshirt-Freshman
- Brandon Inniss, Freshman
- Bryson Rodgers, Freshman
- Noah Rogers, Freshman
- Carnell Tate, Freshman
Dissecting the Situation
This is arguably the most talented and deep spot not only on the roster but perhaps in all of college football. Xavier Johnson coming back for another year canceled out Jaxon Smith-Njigba heading off to the NFL — at least numbers-wise — and there are several young and skilled freshmen that will enter the fray. You have to wonder if this is a group that we might see some defections from in the near future, but either way, Ohio State is in extremely good shape here.
Tight End
Players Currently on Scholarship (6)
- Cade Stover, Redshirt-senior
- Gee Scott Jr., Senior
- Joe Royer, Redshirt-junior
- Sam Hart, Redshirt-sophomore
- Bennett Christian, Redshirt-freshman
- Jelani Thurman, Freshman
Dissecting the Situation
Thanks to Cade Stover deciding to put off dreams of NFL grandeur, the Buckeyes have a veteran presence here with him and Gee Scott Jr. Behind those two are some young and unproven players that could see more action in 2023.
Offensive Line
Players Currently on Scholarship (18)
- Matt Jones, Redshirt-Senior
- Vic Cutler, Redshirt-Senior
- Enokk Vimahi, Redshirt-Senior
- Josh Fryar, Redshirt-Junior
- Jakob James, Redshirt-Junior
- Trey Leroux, Redshirt-Junior
- Grant Toutant, Redshirt-Junior
- Donovan Jackson, Junior
- Ben Christman, Redshirt-Sophomore
- Zen Michalski, Redshirt-Sophomore
- George Fitzpatrick, Redshirt-Freshman
- Avery Henry, Redshirt-Freshman
- Carson Hinzman, Redshirt-Freshman
- Tegra Tshabola, Redshirt-Freshman
- Luke Montgomery, Freshman
- Joshua Padilla, Freshman
- Austin Siereveld, Freshman
- Miles Walker, Freshman
Dissecting the Situation
There are plenty of players on scholarship here, but the loss of three starters means the identification and development of a core group here may be the biggest obstacle to where the ceiling is for the 2023 squad. The Buckeyes did nab transfer Vic Cutler from Louisiana-Monroe, but there’s most likely going to be reshuffling and competition all the way up until the season to figure out who gets playing time, how deep the Buckeyes will go, and who slots where.
Defensive End
Players Currently on Scholarship (7)
- Jack Sawyer, Junior
- J.T. Tuimoloau, Junior
- Caden Curry, Sophomore
- Omari Abor, Redshirt-Freshman
- Kenyatta Jackson, Redshirt-Freshman
- Jason Moore, Freshman
- Joshua Mickens, Freshman
Dissecting the Situation
Under Larry Johnson’s tutelage, this has typically been a position of strength. And while that’s the case with the top two we expect to start (Tuimoloau and Sawyer), youth is served behind them. Caden Curry looks like he’ll get more involved this year, but Ohio State might need to find more depth behind that and figure out how the “Jack” position will be utilized. It’ll be interesting to see who emerges to give the starters a chance to catch their breath at times.
Defensive Tackle
Players Currently on Scholarship (7)
- Jaden McKenzie, Redshirt-Senior
- Ty Hamilton, Redshirt-Junior
- Tyleik Williams, Junior
- Mike Hall, Redshirt-Sophomore
- Hero Kanu, Redshirt-Freshman
- Kayden McDonald, Freshman
- Will Smith Jr., Freshman
Dissecting the Situation
Hall, Williams, and Hamilton have all flashed moments and should be a big part of things in 2023, but beyond that, depth needs to be established if Ohio State wants to rotate bodies in and out as it has done in years past. Who will be that fourth guy, and beyond?
Linebacker
Players Currently on Scholarship (8)
- Steele Chambers, Redshirt-senior
- Tommy Eichenberg, Redshirt-senior
- Cody Simon, Senior
- Mitchell Melton, Redshirt-junior
- Reid Carrico, Redshirt-sophomore
- C.J. Hicks, Sophomore
- Gabe Powers, Redshirt-Freshman
- Arvell Reese, Freshman
Dissecting the Situation
The linebacker room might be in the best shape it’s been in a long, long time, especially with the scheme that only uses two base linebackers. Eichenberg’s decision to put off the NFL can’t be understated as the team’s leading tackler from last season. He and Chambers will likely start together for the second straight year, and Simon also has a history of solid, productive play. He might still be a year away, but we’ll have to see how the former 5-star prospect, C.J. Hicks, factors into things.
Cornerback
Players Currently on Scholarship (6)
- Denzel Burke, Junior
- Jordan Hancock, Redshirt-Sophomore
- Jyaire Brown, Sophomore
- Ryan Turner, Redshirt-Freshman
- Jermaine Matthews, Freshman
- Calvin Simpson-Hunt, Freshman
Dissecting the Situation
The combination of injuries, depth, and poor play on the outside probably kept Ohio State from beating Michigan, winning the Big Ten, and bringing home a College Football Playoff national title. Denzel Burke needs to get back to how he played his freshman season, and the team might need one of the freshmen to really show up so that we don’t see as many big plays in the passing game this upcoming season. Don’t be surprised if OSU is combing through the transfer portal to try and add more help here because it’s definitely needed.
Safety
Players Currently on Scholarship (10)
- Josh Proctor, Redshirt-Senior
- Ja’Had Carter, Senior
- Lathan Ransom, Senior
- Cameron Martinez, Redshirt-Junior
- Kourt Williams, Redshirt-Junior
- Kye Stokes, Sophomore
- Sonny Styles, Sophomore
- Jayden Bonsu, Freshman
- Malik Hartford, Freshman
- Cedrick Hawkins Jr., Freshman
Dissecting the Situation
This is a talented group, but the defense needs more from it in 2023. Syracuse transfer Ja’Had Carter will most likely take over the role of the departed Tanner McCalister, and Lathan Ransom should have a starring role based on what we saw last year. Beyond that however, whether it’s Josh Proctor who is somewhat unexpectedly back, or Kye Stokes and/or Sonny Styles who both look like rising stars, this team needs its safeties to be major playmakers on defense in the Knowles’ scheme.
Special Teams
Players Currently on Scholarship (4)
- Parker Lewis, Redshirt-Junior (placekicker)
- Jake Seibert, Redshirt-Junior (placekicker)
- Jesse Mirco, Junior (punter)
- John Ferlmann, Redshirt-Sophomore (long snapper)
Dissecting the Situation
We know that Mirco is going to be the punter from down under again, but who takes the place of Noah Ruggles who is out of eligibility? Is this finally the year Jake Seibert gets his shot, or will Parker Lewis win that competition? The coaching staff clearly thought there was a need at long snapper and went out and got Arizona State transfer John Ferlmann and put him on scholarship as well.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on Twitter.
Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.
