As the Ohio State football season marches on, the Buckeyes continue to get young players who are stepping up. Jay Timmons is a true freshman who already looks like a stud, although he might not play this weekend against Iowa. Khary Wilder needs to get more snaps, too.
Some other freshmen are still working to shed their black stripes and become official members of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Two more players have been able to do that as the Iowa game draws near. That includes five-star linebacker Cincere Johnson and safety Deshawn Stewart.
Cincere Johnson and Deshawn Stewart shed their blacks stripes for Ohio State
Johnson was rated as the second-best linebacker recruit in the country in the 2026 class. He is a stud player who will certainly be part of Ohio State's future, even if he has to wait his turn. Riley Petijohn, Payton Pierce, and Christian Alliegro have a stranglehold on those spots right now.
Next season, Johnson might be in a position to compete for a starting spot. At the very least, he will be able to get snaps in a backup or a rotational role. He's an athletic freak, as he can get from sideline to sideline very quickly. He stands at 6'3 and 237, and he moves well in that frame.
Stewart is a sophomore who was finally able to shed his black stripe. Coming out of high school, Stewart was a three-star recruit from the state of New Jersey. He hasn't had much of an opportunity to get on the field, and it might be tough for him to see much playing time in the future.
However, Stewart might be able to see some playing time on special teams next season. If he performs well on special teams, he could catch the eye of the coaching staff and force his way onto the field at the safety spot. Effort could be the way he sees playing time.
Ohio State still has players looking to prove themselves
Johnson and Stewart aren't the only Buckeyes who are looking to prove themselves. There are a lot of players who are still trying to earn the trust of the coaches. Legend Bey is one of them, as it seems he has lost the trust of the coaches. Now, he's in the doghouse midway through the year.
Wilder has shown out when he has been on the field, but the coaches still refuse to give him regular snaps for some reason. He looks like the defensive lineman who can put the most consistent pressure on other teams. Ohio State also needs some wide receivers to take a step.
This weekend will determine where the Buckeyes stand in the College Football Playoff picture. A loss would mean that the Buckeyes cannot afford another one if they still want to compete for a national championship. A victory means they are still one of the best teams in the country.
It might take a while for Johnson and Stewart to make impactful plays for the Buckeyes moving forward, but they are doing their best to help their teammates in practice.
Add us as a preferred source on Google