Who is Ohio State in 2025? New-look Buckeyes will begin search for identity in spring game

It was only a few months ago when the confetti was falling and the Ohio State Buckeyes stood on the field of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta celebrating their first national title since 2014. It was a moment of vindication for all the players who chose to return for another year, as well as for coach Ryan Day, who suffered so many slings and arrows for repeated losses to Michigan.

Now … they start over again.

Ohio State is favored to win the national title again at most major sportsbooks, but like all futures markets at the moment, there seems to be a lot more hoping for the best than proof of concept. Yes, the Buckeyes are your reigning champs, but when this team takes the field at Ohio Stadium on Saturday for its spring game, Ohio State fans will need to learn more about this team ahead of the 2025 season. 

Looking at Bill Connelly’s returning production rankings at ESPN, which don’t simply add up snaps taken but factor in a number of different stats and weigh them differently based on positions, Ohio State ranks 101st nationally in returning production. They’ve lost their starting quarterback, top two running backs, key starters on the offensive line, nearly the entire defensive line and star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. 

Do you get the point yet? 

Good, because I’m not finished.

They also lose offensive coordinator Chip Kelly — back to the NFL with the Las Vegas Raiders — and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles — now in the same position at Penn State. They’ve been replaced by the promoted ace recruiter Brian Hartline and longtime NFL assistant Matt Patricia, respectively.

In a time when many in college football are wondering what the future of spring practices and games will look like, we should be grateful Ohio State is…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/who-is-ohio-state-in-2025-new-look-buckeyes-will-begin-search-for-identity-in-spring-game/

Author : Tom Fornelli

Publish date : 2025-04-11 14:41:00

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