The Ohio State 2023 offense fell short of Ryan Day’s expectations, and in order to improve it, the head coach made some significant adjustments this offseason.
Day determined that he required an additional offensive player with substantial play calling experience in the room. Corey Dennis, the quarterbacks coach, was promoted to a new, undisclosed position, and Bill O’Brien was brought on as both the co-offensive coordinator and the quarterbacks coach.
Quinshon Judkins, a transfer from Ole Miss, Alabama center Seth McLaughlin, and quarterback Will Howard from Kansas State are just a few of the players the Buckeyes have added as part of their proactive effort to strengthen their roster via the transfer portal. Although there is still a need at tackle and it will be difficult to replace standout wideout Marvin Harrison Jr., the offense appears to have improved in some key areas.
Following last week’s assessment of the Buckeyes’ defensive depth chart, here is an initial look at Ohio State’s 2024 offensive projection.
Quarterback- Will Howard
Key reserves: Devin Brown, Julian Sayin, Air Noland, Lincoln Kienholz
Howard will be the starting quarterback in 2024. After spending four years at Kansas State, he comes to Columbus with 5,786 yards of passing experience, 48 touchdowns, 25 interceptions, 921 running yards, and 19 additional scores on the ground.
There will be an interesting competition for the No. 2 place. Brown has hung onto that job if he chooses to remain with the club after the spring, but true freshmen Sayin and Noland, as well as redshirt freshman Kienholz, will be pressing him. After spring practice, I wouldn’t be shocked if Ohio State lost one or two quarterbacks, but that wouldn’t be a terrible thing. The rivalry is necessary for the Buckeyes.
Running back- TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins
Key reserve: Dallan Hayden
In the backfield, Henderson and Judkins ought to be a formidable combination. In the 57 games they have played in their careers, they have combined for 5,470 yards and 63 touchdowns. Although Hayden is currently the odd man out, Ohio State still has him in their plans. Hayden should still see some carries in 2024 if he makes it through the spring, and it’s encouraging that Ohio State was able to preserve his redshirt last autumn. Should the Buckeyes require him, he can play as a third option. There’s not much experience and some concern after the top three at the position. James Peoples, a freshman, will probably follow Hayden in the lineup.
Wide receiver- Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss
Key reserves: Jeremiah Smith, Jayden Ballard
A lot of the offseason may be spent debating which three receivers Ohio State should start the season against Akron on August 31. For the time being, I’m sticking with Tate, Egbuka, and Inniss as my three returnees, pending how quickly Smith—the top player according to the 247Sports Composite—acclimates to college life. Smith will undoubtedly be among the top four coming into the season, in my opinion. Aside from Egbuka, Ohio State’s receiving group is inexperienced, although Tate, Inniss, and Smith all have the potential to contribute significantly the following season. Smith should be among the starts when the season kicks off, especially since he will have had a full spring.
What will be fascinating, though, is how serious Ohio State takes this position. Although Bryson Rodgers is still in the running after removing his name from the transfer portal, Ballard would currently be the fifth player. Mylan Graham, a five-star rookie, might require some time as he won’t be on campus until the summer.
Tight end- Gee Scott
Key reserves: Will Kacmarek, Jelani Thurman
Although Ohio State will have many tight ends in the upcoming season, the arrival of Ohio transfer Kacmarek was significant because Scott played the second-most tight end snaps (308), so I’m sticking with him as the starter for the time being. This spring, he’ll fight for playing time and has experience at a position that Ohio State views as one of the most promising on the field. Thurman has the greatest potential. If his blocking has become better this offseason, the 6-foot-6 player might be a serious threat in the passing game.
