The Ohio State Buckeyes will need the usual suspects to be the backbone of the team, whether it's Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith on offense, or Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Jermaine Mathews Jr., and Devin Sanchez on the other side of the ball.
If the Buckeyes' upperclassmen deliver the goods, this team is probably a nine- or 10-win group. If, however, these two incoming freshmen thrive in their roles, Arthur Smith's offense will be fully unlocked, and this could be another undefeated Ohio State squad in 2026:
Chris Henry Jr.
Chris Henry Jr. may have to be what Carnell Tate was to the offense last year for this offense to rise into the upper echelon in red zone offense. Arthur Smith's red zone offense features heavy personnel, but there are isolation opportunities on the outside. Henry needs to get behind defenses and have a knack for the spectacular in the air to replace that production.
Luckily, Henry is known for all of that, and he has the physicality to grind out extra yardage and an Arthur Smith offense that plans on wearing defenses out with long possessions and strategic strikes through the air.
It's no exaggeration to say that during his freshman season, Henry will be under the microscope to deliver spectacular play-making.
If he can, the sky is the limit playing next to Jeremiah Smith and a mix of well-traveled transfers and other intriguing freshmen.
Legend Bey
Legend Bey could be the ultimate luxury a College Football offense has ever seen. He's going to get snaps out of the backfield, lining up as a receiver, and contribute in special teams. If he can be a special teams star, that alone would move the needle.
Bey seems ready to do more, though. Per Last Word On Sports' Drew Crabtree, Bey has been "too explosive to keep off the field" thus far in spring practice.
If that early-spring dominance becomes a permanent state for the 4-star North Forney (TX) product, and Bey could truly be the next Tyreek Hill, Curtis Samuel, or Percy Harvin, those Buckeyes futures bets will be fired in en masse early during the College Football regular season. And they'll probably be cashed, too.