Ohio State is More Than Capable of Repeating as National Champs. Here's Why.
- Ben Latham
- Jul 9
- 3 min read
Once Jayden Fielding knocked in the game-clinching field goal to give Ohio State a 34-23 lead over Notre Dame in the final minutes of the 2025 CFP National Championship Game, it was as if a weight was lifted off the program and Buckeye Nation.
For a decade, the Buckeyes were constantly in contention to add another piece of hardware into their trophy room after their magical run in 2014 but could never seem to get over the hump.
Whether it was getting dismantled by a couple of unranked foes in the Urban Meyer era to their inability to play good complementary football in the Ryan Day era's infancy, there was always something holding them back.
The 2024 team, despite heartbreaking losses to Oregon and Michigan, seemed to finally have all of the right ingredients.
Veteran stars like TreVeyon Henderson, Jack Sawyer and Emeka Egbuka played a crucial role in helping the team navigate through adversity during the season, and the addition of Chip Kelly and Carlos Locklyn provided a major boost to a running game that was lackluster in previous years.
One of the biggest reasons why the 2024 team was so successful was because of its transfers. Will Howard and Quinshon Judkins were huge additions to the offense, while Caleb Downs was a crucial piece in what was the nation's statistically number one defense.
However, as Downs mentioned in an interview earlier this year, the 2025 team hasn't earned anything yet. While fans have been able to bask in the glory of the program's ninth national title, the players have had to hit the reset button and start fresh.
This year's Buckeyes, while not as experienced due to over a dozen players departing for the NFL, is oozing with potential.
It is likely that Julian Sayin will get the starting nod at quarterback as he looks to prove why he was ranked as one of the nation's top quarterback recruits in the 2024 class.
The wide receiver room remains loaded, as Heisman Trophy contender Jeremiah Smith looks to build on his record-breaking freshman campaign.
Veterans like Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate will still be major contributors but look for an incoming freshman receiver to make some noise as well.
Former five-star recruit Mylan Graham put together a solid performance during the spring game and could get some substantial playing time, especially early in the season.
The young talent isn't limited to the offensive side of the ball either. Cornerback Devin Sanchez, another former five-star recruit, has a lot of potential and looks to climb up the depth chart this season.
One player that no one has really talked about this offseason has been C.J. Donaldson Jr., a transfer running back from West Virginia. He has a Derrick Henry-like build and looks to be a great complement to the speedier James Peoples.
Just like how there has been some player turnover, there has also been some coaching turnover as well.
But despite Chip Kelly departing for the NFL and Jim Knowles heading east to coach defense for the Buckeyes' rivals in Happy Valley, the program hasn't really missed a beat.
Brian Hartline was promoted to offensive coordinator as a result of his unrivaled success coaching the wide receivers. It's easy to see why Ryan Day thinks he's up for the task.
Matt Patricia, long-time defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots during their dynasty, will succeed Knowles. Patricia won two Super Bowls during his tenure as DC with the Patriots and his personality should be great for recruiting.
The 2025 Buckeyes are more than capable of winning back-to-back national championships for the first time in program history. The pieces are there, and the culture is certainly there as well.
All the players and coaches have to do is perform up to their potential and keep the same mantra that aided the 2024 squad in their dominant CFP run: Leave No Doubt.
Really insightful, great read. Nice work Ben!
Great write-up!