As the defending national champions, the Ohio State football team is looking to run it back. They lost a lot of talent to the NFL, but that doesn't mean they don't have some really good guys coming back. These are the top five guys that will be returning in 2025.
1. Jeremiah Smith
Jeremiah Smith might be the best player in all of college football. As a freshman last year, the receiver set all kinds of Ohio State records. The scary thing for the rest of the country is that he is going to be playing for the Buckeyes for two more seasons.
2. Caleb Downs
It's pretty clear that Caleb Downs is the best safety in the country. In fact, he might be the best defensive player in the country. His ability to cover the entire field and help in the run game makes him a very rare breed. Oh, and he can return punts for touchdowns, too.
3. Sonny Styles
After playing his first year at linebacker, Sonny Styles really came on during the College Football Playoff. He finally became comfortable playing closer to the line of scrimmage and should be even better in his second year at that position. Matt Patricia is excited to have him.
4. Jermaine Mathews Jr.
Yes, he's better than Davison Igbinosun. He commits fewer penalties while still being matched up on an island. Now, he's an undisputed starter who should only get better with first-team reps. He's a shutdown corner who will help the Ohio State Buckeyes have a top-rated pass defense once again.
5. Davison Igbinosun
While Mathews Jr. might be better, Igbinosun is still a really good player. When he doesn't commit penalties, he can lock down guys on the perimeter. He's also the most physical corner on the roster, so he's not afraid to come up and help in the run game, either.
These players will play a huge factor in whether or not the Buckeyes are able to repeat as national champions. All of them have a chance to be First-Team All-Big Ten, while a couple of them should also be All-Americans.