Ohio State has been a national power for years now, really picking up with the arrival of Urban Meyer. Many recent Buckeye stars have come from the state of Texas, where high school football is a religion. That is no different for the current Buckeyes, who have a chance to make the Longhorns wish they had kept them home on Saturday night.
RB Legend Bey
Legend Bey, from Forney, Texas, had some good and bad plays in his first college game last Saturday. He took two kickoffs out of the end zone, which has been a no-no for Ohio State under Ryan Day. On offense, he had eight touches for 74 yards and a touchdown.
There was a different energy inside Ohio Stadium every time he had the ball in his hands. I am interested to see if Ryan Day will keep him back at kick returner again this week, or if he will opt for a safer option. Either way, he should get a few chances to make plays on offense, because he is absolutely electric with the ball in his hands.
WR Brock Boyd
Brock Boyd, from Southlake, Texas, was a three-star recruit who has already begun to make an impact as a freshman in the wide receiver room. He was in the wide receiver rotation in Ohio State's season opener against Ball State. He was on the field when they scored their first touchdown of the game, and later made his first career catch for 22 yards. I'm skeptical as to how much he will see the field in a much bigger game this week, but if he gets his chance, he could make his name known to the national audience.
K Connor Hawkins
Connor Hawkins, from Liberty Hill, Texas, was brought to Ohio State for games like this. Hawkins made 18 of 22 kicks at Baylor last season, including 3 of 4 on kicks of 50+ yards. He made a 53-yarder to beat Kansas State. Six of Ohio State's last seven losses have included a missed field goal in a key spot. Buckeye fans will be absolutely thrilled if their new kicker can make his important kicks back in his home state.
WR Devin McCuin
Devin McCuin, from Jacksonville, Texas, looked like an Ohio State receiver in his debut against Ball State. McCuin started his career at UTSA after being an under-recruited prospect out of high school. He did not have an offer from Texas, Baylor, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, or Houston. He put up big numbers in three years with the Roadrunners, and now he's got his chance at a wide receiver factory. His target share against Ball State indicates that he will be a big factor for the Buckeyes this season.
LB Payton Pierce
Payton Pierce, from Lucas, Texas, has worked his way to the top of the linebacker room at Ohio State. He is one of the Buckeyes' team captains and wears the green dot on defense. He is the man in the middle of the Ohio State defense and will play a huge role on Saturday night.
LB Riley Pettijohn
Riley Pettijohn, from McKinney, Texas, has a chance to make his first real impact as a Buckeye on Saturday night. Pettijohn flashed as a freshman, mostly on special teams. It was basically impossible to get on the field when the top guys at your position are Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles.
He played a lot of snaps early on Saturday against Ball State and will have a much bigger impact on defense as a sophomore. This is his first big game as a key member of the Buckeye defense, and I expect him to be all over the field in his home state.
CB Devin Sanchez
Devin Sanchez, from Houston, Texas, was Ohio State's highest-rated recruit in the 2025 class. He played a lot as a freshman and looked very shaky at times. Games like this one are the ones you imagine when you recruit a guy like Sanchez.
He will be covering star Longhorns receiver Cam Coleman, and if he can neutralize him on Saturday night, Ohio State will have a great chance of coming away with a win. If he is the star that Tim Walton recruited, the ceiling for this Buckeye team only goes higher.
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