Ohio State: Built for a Title Defense in 2025
I have Ohio State at No. 3 in my preseason Top 25, and as the defending national champions, they are firmly in the mix to return to the College Football Playoff. Despite losing a historic number of players to the NFL Draft, the Buckeyes have reloaded through elite recruiting and are poised to overcome massive roster turnover. While new coordinators take over on both sides of the ball, the talent level in Columbus remains among the best in the nation.
2024: A Championship Forged Through Adversity
Last season was the definition of “Title or Bust.” After an early loss to Oregon, the Buckeyes rallied to win gritty, one-score games against Nebraska and Penn State. But the unthinkable happened again when a conservative approach led to a stunning 13-10 upset loss to Michigan, seemingly derailing their championship hopes.
However, that loss forged a new resolve. The Buckeyes entered the playoffs with a chip on their shoulder and transformed into the NFL machine everyone expected. They dominated Tennessee and avenged their loss to Oregon in the Rose Bowl. In the semifinal against Texas, they delivered two legendary plays: TreVeyon Henderson’s 75-yard touchdown on a screen pass and Jack Sawyer’s 90-yard fumble return for a score that sent them to the title game. Against Notre Dame, the championship was sealed by one of the most memorable plays in program history, a deep ball to Jeremiah Smith now known as “Third & Jeremiah,” snapping a decade-long title drought for the Scarlet and Gray.
Offense: Reloading the Super-Team
The 2024 “super-team” sent 14 players to the NFL Draft, including offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Now, Brian Hartline takes over play-calling duties for an offense that, despite its losses, is still brimming with five-star talent. At quarterback, the keys are handed to former five-star recruit Julian Sayin, who is expected to be an instant star.
The backfield must replace the 1,000-yard duo of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, but will turn to former Top-100 recruit James Peoples and physical transfer CJ Donaldson. The wide receiver room remains an embarrassment of riches, led by sophomore sensation Jeremiah Smith, who is joined by fellow former five-stars Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss. The offensive line brings in a new coach and must replace two first-rounders, but it remains a strength thanks to the playoff experience of returning players like Carson Hinzman and Luke Montgomery, supplemented by a pair of four-star transfer tackles.
Defense: A New Mastermind Takes the Helm
After building the nation’s best statistical defense, coordinator Jim Knowles departed for Penn State. In a surprise move, Ryan Day hired three-time Super Bowl champion Matt Patricia to lead the unit. While the defense is young and lost stars like J.T. Tuimoloau, Denzel Burke, and Jack Sawyer, it is exceptionally talented.
The undisputed leader is safety Caleb Downs, a surefire All-American who is arguably the best defensive player in the country. He anchors a secondary that includes returning starter Davison Igbinosun and five-star freshman Devin Sanchez. At linebacker, Sonny Styles is poised for an All-American season, while the defensive line is inexperienced but packed with former blue-chip recruits.
The Schedule and the Path
After winning the national championship, the next item on the to-do list is “fixing the Michigan problem.” Even with a younger team, the Buckeyes have more than enough firepower to return to the Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis and secure a spot in the 12-team playoff, even as an at-large team.
Why I’m So Confident
Here’s why I’m picking Ohio State to make another deep playoff run:
- A championship culture forged from the 2024 title run.
- Elite, blue-chip talent at the most important positions.
- The next superstar quarterback in Julian Sayin.
- Unmatched recruiting that allows them to reload, not rebuild.
- A defense led by a proven All-American in Caleb Downs.
This is a younger team, but the standard in Columbus does not change. At No. 3 in my preseason rankings, Ohio State has the talent, coaching, and championship experience to make a legitimate run at a second straight national title.
