Scouting Report: Ohio State

Pound for pound, Ohio State has the best roster Texas has seen in Steve Sarkisian’s tenure. Yes, it is better than 2022 and 2023 Alabama and has defensive talent 2023 Washington could only dream of.

Ryan Day (with the help of those around him) pushed all his chips in for the 2024 season, and despite another loss to Michigan, the Buckeyes have remained on track to accomplish their goal.

Offense

Day pushed out Kyle McCord after the 2023 season and plucked Will Howard from Kansas State to be his quarterback. Howard is no stranger to Texas fans, boasting a 0-4 record against the Longhorns dating back to 2020. Howard is having a very good season, tossing 32 touchdowns compared to just 9 interceptions while averaging 9.5 yards per pass attempt. He has also added 7 rushing touchdowns and is a threat as a situational runner.

The two-headed backfield monster in TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins make Howard’s job easier. The duo has combined for over 1,800 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. Henderson is averaging a ridiculous 7.3 yards per carry and has a chance to be one of the first running backs off the board in the 2025 NFL draft.

If Henderson and Judkins weren’t enough, the Buckeyes also have the luxury of having the best WR duo in the country in Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka. Smith is a true freshman who would go in the top 5 of the NFL draft this year if he was eligible. He has 70 catches on the season for 1,224 yards and 14 touchdowns. Egbuka has just shy of 900 receiving yards and has added 10 touchdowns of his own. #3 WR Carnell Tate is no slouch (611 yards and 4 touchdowns) and the Buckeyes also involve TE Gee Scott (21 catches and 2 touchdowns). The Longhorns secondary will have their hands full.

The injury bug has bit Ohio State hard along the offensive line, but the unit has started to gel the last month and has not allowed a sack in the playoffs. Texas native Donovan Jackson holds down the LT spot and is a future NFL player.

Defense

As good as Ohio State is offensively, their defense may be even more impressive. The Buckeyes have 10 upperclassmen starters, and every one of them will be in an NFL training camp in 2025 or 2026.

4 seniors start across the defensive line, with defensive ends Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau combining for 18 sacks. Middle linebacker Cody Simon has a team-leading 97 tackles and has also pitched in 7 sacks.

Ohio State will often deploy the 3-safety defense Texas saw quite a bit in the Big 12. The roaming, middle-of-the-field safety is Alabama Caleb Downs, the only sophomore to start on the Buckeyes defense. Downs has registered 71 tackles and is one of the best safeties in the country. Fellow safety Lathan Ransom has forced a team-leading 3 fumbles and will hear his name called early in the upcoming draft.

Final Thoughts

Several NFL draft analysts have commented on the amount of NFL talent that will be on the field for both sides on Friday. ESPN’s Matt Miller said he has 21 players in this game with top 3-round grades for the upcoming draft, 11 of which play for Ohio State.

Texas will have their hands full Friday night, but the Longhorns have shown under Steve Sarkisian they usually show up in big games. They must be at their best if the Longhorns want to advance to the national championship.