Ohio State Buckeyes: Key Players Shaping 2025 College Football Season

Ohio State has some of the best players in college football. But who are the key players stirring up a storm on the field? The Ohio State Buckeyes have claimed nine national titles in their illustrious history. The modern era has been coined the Ryan Day period, and it has been one of the most spectacular in modern football. Last season was a spectacular one, with wins at the Rose Bowl, Cotton Bowl, and CFP National Championship. All of this has been through a robust programme of building and attracting the best players. This season looks to be no different, with new stars and veterans alike on the Buckeyes squad. Jeremiah Smith You could argue that Smith is the best player on the roster. Yet you could also argue he is the best player in college football. The team has five of the 100 top-rated college football players according to ESPN, so he sits in esteemed company. The first three games of the season could not have gone better. Four total touchdowns were scored, along with 20 passes for 315 yards. His stats for 2024 also saw a total of 76 receptions, 1,315 yards, and 15 touchdowns. All of this comes from a perfect blend of size, speed, and skill. This was evident in the two-TD performance at the Rose Bowl in the second round of the College Football Playoffs. He is also a sure contender to win the Heisman Trophy. His odds are hanging between +1300 and +2000, depending on the bookmakers. You can find all available options for Ohio best betting sites online, and also see them ranked and rated by bonus offers. This means you can place football bets without using your own capital for a short time on a wide range of markets. Caleb Downs Few teams have a rock as sturdy as Caleb Downs in defense. His freshman year was in 2023, and he was at the top of the Big Ten with an astounding 70 solo tackles. He seems to cover multiple places at once, screening passes and scuppering runs. He did extremely well against Texas, who have one of the top offenses in the country. This could make him a top-five draft pick in 2026. It has not just his on-field antics that have made him a fan favourite, either. Downs has made the local press as he and his brother have set up a foundation to address homelessness and hunger. Named the Trust Downs Foundation, he has been serving food at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. This is not just a star player Ohio has, but a role model. Julian Sayin Julian Sayin is a real one to watch type of character. He is also in the running for the Heisman Trophy, with odds of around +1700. This is a great outside bet, as he continues to grow as the starting quarterback. He began with no starting experience, but completed 79% of his passes in the first nonconference games. His current stats have him at 78.8% completion for 246.8 yards per game. This comes with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. If this development continues, he will carry on the hype he gained in his previous position at Columbus. Carnell Tate Carnell Tate often seems to live in the shadow of Smith. Yet he has a totally different skill set, which plays just as much of a part in the team's success. Some of his catches have been unbelievable, particularly one against Texas and more recently against Washington. The latter saw him acrobatically manage to stay in bounds and keep the game running. He is one of the top wideouts in college football. Consistently running routes, he caught 12 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns in the first three games. These routes can be very technical, breaking on cue and getting a hand to the ball. On top of all this, he is solid, being a great perimeter blocker. This has made him a surefire first-round NFL draft pick as a wide receiver. Sonny Styles Styles is entering his second year as a linebacker after previously being a safety. This has made him stand out in coverage. He is always making plays in the defense, and in the first season, he managed to net 100 total tackles and six sacks. He will keep up with the speediest of players in the open field and always press others. He is critical to the strategy of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who uses him to prevent passes and block runs. As a vocal player on the field, he is also great at organising and rallying the troops. While these are a few of Ohio's top players, they are not all of them. As the season unfolds, there will be more to come and plenty of surprises. Keep an eye on the game and see who stands out this year. This is sponsored content.